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 usually 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 expertise.
Tay Landscape Project: contributions to Final Evaluation
Men in Childcare: prepared evaluation report
Tay Landscape Project: design of monitoring and evaluation system
Canal Community Liaison Officer Project: reporting support
Palliative Care@Home Service: help with questionnaire design and Survey Monkey
PLUS’s Circles Of Support scheme: evaluation support
The Haven: analysis and reporting of data, revision of questionnaire
The Haven came back for help to modify & test their questionnaire, so it meets reporting requirements for Big Lottery funding.
For four years I helped them analyse their questionnaire results.
Working Together
For these projects I worked closely with staff throughout the life of the project.
Carradale Visitor & Residents Survey
Developed and ran the print / online survey with the help of the local community for the Carradale Community Trust. Produced a report of results that would help inform community consultations that would in turn feed into the East Kintyre Local Development Plan.
Evaluation of Scottish Biker Magazine project
Set up an online survey to profile motorcyclists and receive their feedback on training, safety and the SBM suite of resources – print/online magazine, Facebook page and website.
Carried out focus groups and phone interviews to explore feedback in more depth.
Provided interim reports to the Project Team so they could implement findings within the year of the Project, and a Final Report to the main funder, Transport Scotland.
Contributions to evaluation of The Haven MS Self Management Service
I Worked with Haven staff to review the MS Self Management Service through:
A Review of MS Self Management Courses 1-3
Questionnaires using a self-rating scale and open questions were completed at the start, end and post training to provide evidence of client and carer achievements.
B Client Carer Survey
Questionnaires returned from 100 Haven MS clients/carers were analysed to evidence benefits of the service.
C Stakeholder Survey
Phone interviews with associated healthcare professionals to find out their views on the MS Service.
D Prepared final evaluation report
A summary and analysis of the preceding surveys and monitoring data for the MS Service, 2012.
Green Action: ongoing evaluation support, and final report
Scents and Sensitivities II: ongoing evaluation support, and final report
The Deer Commission for Scotland: scoping study
The Dalriada Project: evaluation advice, ongoing help and final reporting
Full Studies - Evaluations
The following evaluations were mainly carried out at the end of the project. Typically, my role was to provide an independent review of achievements, learning and future possibilities.
Evaluation of the Living Well with MS online programme 2018-19, for the MS Society, Scotland, ongoing
Evaluation of Lothian Self Management Programme, for Action For Sick Children Scotland
Engage Renfrewshire: Qualitative Evaluation of Renfrew West Our Place
Evaluation of the Rural Skills Project
Evaluation of SNH’s Sharing Good Practice (SGP) Programme
Details…
Evaluation of the Excellence through Education and Business Links (EEBL) programme
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
Foxbar Community Consultation, for Engage Renfrewshire, 2016, May Johnstone.
Investigation of the readiness of the community in Foxbar, Paisley to take on more responsibility for running community groups, achieved through 5 group consultations and a print/online survey.
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.