Online Update (May 2008)

Counterpoint is leading an online induction initiative to give colleagues from the Independent Consultants Group (ICG) some experience in observing, participating in and moderating Bulletin Board Focus Groups (BBFGs).  Over 60 members of the ICG expressed an interest in gaining some experience of this methodology, and we have been given trial Boards by iTracks, Qualboard and Focus Forums.  The trial Boards will be taking place over May and June 2008.  

Topics will include 'life as a independent consultant'/ being a small research business ; experience, benefits and disadvantages of online methodologies and recommendations for using BBFGs.  Transcripts will be available after the Boards - please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Counterpoint wins Teachers TV Contract for Qualitative Research

“We are absolutely delighted to announce that, against very stiff competition, Counterpoint Research has been awarded a five year contract to carry out qualitative research for Teachers TV. The contract was awarded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Counterpoint has worked with Teachers TV since its conception, through its launch period and then with ongoing Impact Evaluation. We have conducted a variety of projects amongst its target audience – Schools Leaders, Schools Workforce, training providers (both commercial and public), academics, LA staff as well as opinions leaders.

We are very excited about working with the Channel Supplier and research colleagues who have been awarded other elements of the Research Contract.”

Counterpoint Research Report Published by DCSF

In early 2007, Counterpoint was commissioned to carry out research amongst parents, carers, children and young people to try to define the core components of of ‘childhood wellbeing’.  The report of their findings has just been published by the Department for Children, Schools & Families.  Perhaps not surprisingly, all identified sufficient ‘quality family time’ as the key element, along with support from schools and friends – and of course, enough money to have enough to eat, shelter and the same “stuff” as your friends!  As one 15 year old put it …

“Like on holiday, when you’re together (with your family) and getting on, it all makes sense again”

They also identified factors which undermined childhood wellbeing, where the negative effect the lack of freedom children and young people had to roam around, be independent and unsupervised, because the UK was no longer a ‘safe’ environment, was important.  This put pressure on parents and carers to micro-manage their lives, and meant paid for activities were the preferred option for those who could afford it.  Political correctness and Health and Safety rules were also criticised for limiting opportunities – such as school sports, theatre, concerts, street parties etc.  There was also a concern that children and young people were not valued in the UK and that they were still better ‘seen but not heard’. The full report is available from :

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/programmeofresearch/index.cfm?type=5&x=50&y=13

The Sun, Telegraph,Mail and BBC also picked up the report :

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article859734.ece

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=522748&in_page_id=1770

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7271051.stm

Announcing Counterpoint’s New Website! (Feb 2008)

Obviously the big news is that after 12 years, we’ve got a shiny new website!  Watch this space for updates, news and resources.  Any feedback you have on the website would be greatly appreciated, as well as any suggestions.

Counterpoint Expands Online Offer (Jan 2008)

We were one of the first companies in the UK to offer online methodologies.  After some years experience, we are now amongst the most experienced online researchers in Europe, with some clients now running quarterly online forums with their customers and/ or staff. 

We offer both (asynchronous) Bulletin Board Focus Groups and  (synchronous) Online Groups.  We can also add online methods to a face to face project : for instance, by setting up a Bulletin Board/ blog or wiki to run concurrently with the fieldwork phase of a project.  Respondents are encouraged to reflect on their experience within the face to face discussion and then post some additional thoughts or react to others’ postings on a dedicated Bulletin Board for that project’s participants.  

Contact us to get an idea of how we can help solve problems by using online methods as well as face to face approaches.