We begin each research strategy with a simple question: "How is this information going to be used?" By starting with the outcomes, we can work back to focus on what is really important. Armed with this information, we use qualitative and quantitative methods to collect and analyze data that is relevant to the organization's strategic communication goals.

Health for Life, City of Kawartha Lakes

MacComm recently completed several stages of research with the City of Kawartha Lakes Health for Life initiative, one of the Ontario Heart Health Program community projects. Using the results from the research, the Steering Committee furthered their strategic communications planning and their infrastructure model. As part of our research, we facilitated a community health promotion needs forum, conducted numerous stakeholder interviews and completed a detailed review of literature.

PLANETSAFE

MacComm was contracted to conduct an evaluation of the social marketing project PLANETSAFE, an awareness campaign designed to change the public's attitude toward brain injury prevention. As part of our evaluation, we analyzed survey return results, facilitated two focus groups, and critically examined print, television, radio and web-based materials. Our final report included six recommendations for improving the design, messaging, distribution channels and timing.

QUILL Learning Network

MacComm completed a ten-month contract as the project coordinator for a provincial pilot project sponsored by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU).

Promoting Adult Learning to Employers was designed to increase awareness among employers about adult learning programs, while assisting older adults find employment opportunities. MacComm was responsible for all four phases of the project, including employer hiring needs research, which was conducted through fax-back questionnaires and telephone interviews.

Ontario Literacy Coalition

MacComm was the lead consultant for the Finding Champions and Building Momentum project. The primary purpose of this research project - funded by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the National Literacy Secretariat - was to assess the current level of awareness and commitment to workplace/workforce literacy among human resource professionals in Ontario. The results of the study have helped establish a baseline measure with which to gauge the impact of a social marketing strategy for workplace literacy.