Here are some projects I’ve helped
This page illustrates the wide range of projects that have benefitted from my research.
My early research was mainly full, independent studies.
Now I increasingly work with projects to support them in their own exploration of perspectives, by making a Contribution or Working Together.
Contributions
Here are samples of where I’ve made a contribution to a project’s evaluation – plugging a gap in their time or experitse.
Canal Community Liaison Officer Project: reporting support
I provided advice and support to the Officer to help collect feedback on the achieivements of the project which encourages more people to use the Forth & Clyde Canal in Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire, and report this feedback in a digestible way to funders, 2012.
PLUS’s Circles Of Support scheme: evaluation support
PLUS developed a Circles of Support scheme in Stirlingshire schools to support pupils with disabilities. They had collected feedback from the pupils, parents, teachers and playground assistants. I helped them review the questionnaires, and map out how the information informs the project’s aims and objectives. Later on I helped PLUS review the initial survey data that would form basis of their PALS project.
The Haven: analysis and reporting of data, revision of questionnaire
The Haven had collected feedback from clients and carers who had used their drop-in centre, and also those who had received complementary therapy sessions. I analysed the results and prepared a report which could to boost funding applications. I also made suggestions to improve their questionnaire.
The Haven came back for help to modify & test their questionnaire, so it meets reporting requirements for Big Lottery funding.
Each year I help them analyse their questionnaire results.
Working Together
For these projects I worked closely with staff throughout the life of the project.
Green Action: ongoing evaluation support, and final report
I helped The Waterways Trust Scotland and their partners review progress and achievements of their environmental and tourism volunteer programme based at the Action Outdoors Centre in Falkirk, and then prepared the Final Report.
Scents and Sensitivities II: ongoing evaluation support, and final report
For two years, I assisted the The Waterways Trust Scotland and their partners to collect and review feedback on development of the garden and nature trails, and the associated training of young people in horticulture skills, and prepared the Final Report.
The Deer Commission for Scotland: scoping study
We worked together to develop a methodology and questions to obtain feedback from operators on ‘deer watching’ in Scotland. I then plannedpiloting the phone interviews, and the main survey, and analysis of the results.
The Dalriada Project: evaluation advice, ongoing help and final reporting
I provided a mix of advice and hands-on help for four years years of the Project to collect baseline data and feedback on progress, including setting up a visitor survey, collecting feedback from schools arts projects, testing a podcas and collating end-of-year reviews. At the end of the project in 2010, I conducted surveys with a range of stakeholders as a contribution to the Final Evaluation.
Full Studies - Evaluations
The following evaluations were carried out at the end of the project. Typically, my role was to provide an independent reivew of achievements, learning and future possibilities.
Evaluation of the Rural Skills Project
An evaluation of the work-based Rural Skills Course in Highland through: pupil, parent, teacher, employer and stakeholder surveys (mainly online), and in-depth phone consultations with employers and stakeholders. With Rural Insights.
Evaluation of SNH’s Sharing Good Practice (SGP) Programme
A comprehensive evaluation of the programme through: observation of three SGP Events, phone surveys with participants and providers, review of Feedback Forms. Design of a Monitoring and Evaluation System.
Details…
Evaluation of the Excellence through Education and Business Links (EEBL) programme
A full independent evaluation of the EEBL Teacher Placement Scheme, starting with a rationalisation of objectives, then analysis of extensive existing data and a survey of teachers and businesses involved. The results were shared at a stakeholder workshop. Details…
More independent evaluations
- Evaluation of Inverness College’s Vocational Pathways Programme*
- Evaluation of the HIE Individual Skills Grant Scheme*
- Evaluation of the pilot New Futures Programme
- Evaluation of the South of Scotland Childminding Business Development Project
- Evaluation of the first year of the SCMA Networking & Marketing Project
- Evaluation of SNH National Nature Reserve Publications^
- Evaluation of learning from interpretive facilities at six Visitor Attractions^ See report
- Pilot of Guidelines for Visitor Surveys for NNR managers^
- Evaluation of a Community Helpline website^
- Evaluation of the Western Isles Opportunities Programme
- Evaluation of SCMA Highland Project
- Evaluation of Young Enterprise in the Western Isles
- Evaluation of Education Business Partnerships in the Highlands & Islands
* A Rural Insights project
^ A Strathspey Surveys project
Full Studies - Scoping and Feasibility
At the other end of the evaluation cycle, these studies investigate the need for a particular service.
Feasibility Study for the Achany Apprenticeship Scheme, Rural Insights and May Johnstone, 2011, for Scottish Community Foundation.
Scoping Study for Skills for Work Courses in the Health Professions, Rural Insights, Hutt J and May Johnstone, 2007, for Highland Council.
Feasibility Study for an Apprenticeship Support Scheme, Rural Insights and Johnstone M, 2005, for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Community Partnership.
Investigation of Options for the future status of the SCMA Highland Project, 2001, May Johnstone, for HIE and SCMA Highland.
Investigation of Work-related Childcare needs in Fife, May Johnstone, 1991, for Fife Enterprise.
Market Research for a Women into Management Course, May Johnstone, 1988, for Open College.
Full Studies - Other Research
Visitor Perceptions Survey at Flanders Moss, 2011, for SNH. Observations, interviews,self-completion questionnaires and online survey to inform development of the interpretive facilities.
Skills for Work Case Studies, 2010, for The Highland Council, researched and written for distribution at the Scottish Learning Festival, Sep 2010.
Survey of Construction Industry Views in Argyll and Bute, 2008, for Construction Excellence.
Shetland’s North Isles Skills Audit, Hutt J, Johnstone M, & Strathspey Surveys, 2006, for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Investigation of the Barriers Lone Parents face in Accessing Work, Johnstone M and Strathspey Surveys, 2004, for Highland Employer Coalition.
Research into Work Experience for Highland pupils, Rural Insights & May Johnstone, 2005, for Highland Council
Survey of Recreational Use of the Nevis Area, Strathspey Surveys & May Johnstone, 2003, for Highland Council.
Training and Coaching for Research
I provide tailored training or coaching in the following aspects of evaluation.
- Overview of Evaluation
- Interview skills
- Phone interviewing
- Use of Survey Monkey for online surveys
- How to prepare a questionnaire
- How to analyse open-ended questionnaires with Pivot Tables
- Report writing
If my work resonates for your project, I invite you to a no-obligation 20 minute Free Consult.