Research that Matters: The SPC delivers five broad types of research the voluntary sector needs, specifically:
Overview, such as socio-demographic trends based on census or mapping of community infrastructure and services
Strategic, e.g. analysis of neighbourhood level qualitative data to identify issues, strengths, proposed solutions & to develop community action plans
Practice based, e.g. best or promising practices, intervention practice guidelines
Evidence based operational, e.g. program evaluation, needs assessment related to program development
Participatory research or action research, i.e. community groups doing their own research
Supports to the Voluntary Sector: The SPC is pleased to lend its experience in social research, policy analysis, and community consultation to not-for-profit organizations and community members. Our goal is to increase the research and evaluation capacity of agencies and residents to take action on social and economic issues.