Project sponsor

Synopsis of project

Timescale/ results achieved

Research type

Chelsea and Westminister
NHS Trust

September 2009

Delivery of value by working better with our suppliers

C&W wished to survey their top 300 suppliers to explore a range of payment options, delivery efficiencies and better working practices that could produce savings for supplier and the Trust.

Quantitative research (telephone + online)

WRAP
September 2009

Food pricing review

Exodus commissioned to update the food pricing of all food and drinks prices to be found in UK. This work was previously commissioned in 2008 and showed an average increase of 11% from the previous year.

Desk/ primary research

WRAP  
September 2009

Food waste in industry

Building on published information this project provides statistical analysis informing various special interest groups and industry sectors on food waste generation in the UK.

Statistical support

Western England Local Authorities
August 2009

Impact of local LFHW campaigns (pre and post launch)

600 face to face interviews with public to understand the impact of the Love Food Hate Waste Campaign in Bath, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bristol.

Quantitative sample using qualitative techniques including structured personal interview (recognition evaluation and show cards)

Defra/ Waste and Resource
Action Programme

March 2009

Assessment of the effectiveness of supermarkets campaign to reduce plastic bag usage

Survey of 1100 consumers to understand the degree to which they have reduced their plastic bag use, reused plastic bags or migrated to bags for life in response to leading supermarkets activity in this area.

Quantitative survey using representative sample (face to face interviews)

NHS Purchasing and
Supply Agency
April 2009

Magazine readership review

Survey of 5000+ readers of procurement magazine to understand their needs and shape the development of a new online version. Focus groups used to test beta version of new format.

Quantitative survey (online + hard copy) followed by qualitative focus groups

North Somerset Council
March 2009

Reappointed for two years qualitative mystery shopping services for various council services

North Somerset have decided to test the delivery of support services provided by the local authority in a variety of areas of service provision

Qualitative mystery shopping

NHS Purchasing and
Supply Agency
January 2009

Purchasing for safety

The delivery of research support to three phase project enabling four NHS Trusts to explore safety issues for staff and patients and design procurement based solutions.

Qualitative personal interviews, focus groups and staff surveys

Fife Council and Waste
Awareness Scotland
January 2009

‘Evaluation of the Towards a Zero Waste Fife: Paper Campaign’

1000 telephone interviews of a representative sample of Fife Residents

Quantitative survey (telephone) using representative sample

NHS Purchasing and
Supply Agency


December 2008

Training and education research in the NHS

Exploration of the delivery of statutory and mandatory training to understand the NHS view on the issues involved and any efficiencies that can be delivered

Qualitative personal interviews used to establish research scope and current issues. Large scale survey of NHS training delivery (quantitative in nature)

Waste and Resource
Action Programme
September 2008

Food waste compositional analysis in Scotland.

This project is similar to ‘The Food We Waste’ project conducted in England & Wales but included further research on packaging and a new investigation in relation to flats and tenements food waste production.1588 households in six local authorities interviewed + 262 flats and tenement households. Of these more than 1600 waste compositional analyses at household level were undertaken and subsequently analysed at food group, type, state of preparation, whole or unopened, country of origin etc.

Quantitative survey (face to face interviews) using representative sample. Uniquely combined with household waste analysis at individual household level.

NHS Purchasing and
Supply Agency

Customer Consultation

Six qualitative focus groups amongst NHS purchasing staff to understand needs and shape future development of the service.

Qualitative focus groups

NHS Purchasing and
Supply Agency
September 2008

The use of robotics in pharmacies

An investigation to understand what NHS organisations have purchased automated pharmacy systems and associated use of robotics

Quantitative survey (electronic) + desk research

Waste and Resource
Action Programme
July 2008

Analysis of marketing activity in home composting and organics.

Evaluation of the marketing materials and target audiences of local authority home composting campaigns and WRAP’s Organics campaign to promote peat free compost. Requirement to provide 850 hh interviews for peat free and a further 850 for home composting – total achieved 1966.

Quantitative survey (face to face interviews)

NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency
June 2008

Staff opinion surveys

Survey of organisations staff and focus groups to explore the issues arising from this research and shape solutions

Quantitative survey (electronic) followed by qualitative focus groups

North Somerset Council
June 2008

Appointed for three years mystery shopping services for various council services

North Somerset have decided to test the delivery of support services provided by the local authority in a variety of areas of service provision

Qualitative mystery shopping

Waste and Resource
Action Programme
April 2008

Quantitative analysis of food waste produced by UK households. First quantitative study investigating food wastage in the UK.

Major report published by WRAP on food waste. Involved face to face interviews with UK householders (representative of UK census population) and subsequent food waste analysis. Exodus appointed lead contractor in partnership with WastesWork (a waste analysis contractor)

Quantitative survey (face to face interviews) using representative sample. Uniquely combined with household waste analysis at individual household level.

Waste and Resource
Action Programme
March 2008

Summary of home composting research - bringing together knowledge on home composting in the UK

From the extensive research conducted by WRAP in relation to home composting in the UK the purpose of this project was to provide a summary document that would highlight the key findings and be a standalone ‘bible of home composting’.

Statistical support + desk research

Waste and Resource
Action Programme
March 2008

The extent to which crop consultants recommend PAS100 compost in agricultural applications

WRAP have conducted two waves of seminars for producers and advisors to learn about the benefits of PAS100 compost as a soil improver. The survey sought to understand how those that attended the seminar had made recommendations for PAS100 compost and any barriers to use.

Personal depth interviews

Waste and Resource
Action Programme
March 2008

Disposal of food and drink items to sewer

WRAP have pioneered research that examines food waste in the UK. This study explored the disposal of food, drinks and other items via the sewer/ sink or toilet. The respondents completed a diary for a week and took part in two interviews.

Consumer diary work + statistical analysis

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

March 2008

Evaluation of the ROTATE 2006-2008

Project involved interviews with local authority staff that have received support or training from ROTATE during the period of 2006-2008. 182 local authorities and 165 local authority staff that have been trained were interviewed by telephone.

Quantitative research (telephone)

NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency
February 2008

Telecare national contract delivery

Research support provided to inter-Governmental project team in order to provide new framework for Telecare products + services. Required full market analysis including product range, total market size, key players market share and analysis of customer base and pricing. Additional support provided on project steering group and in bid assessment.

Market analysis, desk research, customer research, project steering group support

NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency
2007- 2008

Estates, Diagnostic Medical Equipment, Energy suppliers, CT/ MRI scanners, Website review, Communication Aids, IV fluids, Cardiac procurement, Pharmacy procurement, Infusion pumps, Prosthetics and Supply staff qualifications

Exodus Research conducted c 20 supplier performance projects annually for NHS PASA in support of new contracts, contract reviews or monitoring best practice. The surveys were conducted amongst relevant health professionals, procurement staff and commissioners as appropriate and included a range of research methodologies including telephone, online, e-surveys, face to face, desk research and focus groups. Exodus held this contract from 2000 – 2009.

Customer satisfaction and supplier performance research conducted by telephone, online, e-surveys, face to face, desk research and focus groups.

Pembrokeshire County Council
November 2007

Project to understand the participation rates amongst local authority residents in unique home composting scheme and measure diversion rates.

Three strand project: 1000 face to face interviews regarding home composting, measurement of garden type/ size and on site assessment of home composting activity in households, 2000 telephone interviews across Pembrokeshire to understand participation rates, desk research to develop diversion model and calculate potential diversion from landfill.

Observational research, desk research + quantitative survey (telephone and face to face)

Waste and Resource
Action Programme
October 2007

Investigation to establish lapsing rates amongst home composters in the UK

To conduct 6000+ telephone interviews amongst compost bin purchasers and measure the effect of lapsing over time and other factors.

Quantitative survey (telephone) + primary desk research

Kent County Council
October 2007 & March 2008

Establishing the hierarchy of environmental activity

Face to face interviews with 1000 Kent residents to understand how the public see the priorities for local government action and mapping this over time

Quantitative survey using representative sample (face to face interviews)

Waste and Resource
Action Programme
July 2007

Evaluation of the campaign to purchase peat free compost and marketing of home composting bins

National survey to understand the effect of key campaign messages developed by marketing activity in two WRAP teams. More than 2000 face-to-face interviews were conducted in thirteen local authorities

Quantitative survey using representative sample (face to face interviews)

NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency
March 2007

Staff opinion focus groups

Following a period of reorganisation the Agency has asked Exodus to convene a number of focus groups to understand staff views and the areas of questioning for a full workforce survey.

Focus groups

Waste and Resource
Action Programme
March 2007

Food storage and packaging research

National survey of 1000 consumers to understand attitudes to food selection and storage arrangements. Project to support national campaign to reduce food waste. Telephone research – 10 days duration.

Quantitative survey using representative sample (face to face interviews)

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

March 2007

Evaluation of the indirect impact of the construction recycled content toolkit

Assessment of several indirect influences exerted by the WRAP Construction team including the electronic recycled content toolkit. Web based online survey methodology.

Online survey tool

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

February 2007

Food waste diaries

Recruitment, management and analysis for 300 kitchen waste diarists to understand the amounts, types and cost of food purchased and subsequently going to waste. Project to support national campaign to reduce food waste.

Diary study + statistical analysis

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

February 2006

Identifying gaps in home composting 2007.

Project involved analysis of findings from five quantitative surveys to understand and specifically identify the ratios of new recruits to enhanced composters that buy WRAP bins (it is thought that new recruits divert a greater amount & type of waste from landfill) and to measure the impact of time on this ratio.

Statistical analysis + desk research

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

October 2006

Research to understand the effects of time on the ratios of existing, enhanced and non-composters at individual partner and ONS classification levels.

Using the information obtained from the gap analysis undertaken by statistical staff at Exodus Research we measured current ratios within each of the 70 partners and at an ONS classification level. 6,000 home composters that had purchased a bin in 2006 were surveyed to explore and measure current home composting activity.

Quantitative survey (telephone) amongst representative sample

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

October 2006

Evaluation of the effects of marketing activity for WRAP’s Organics and Home Composting campaigns

National survey to understand the effect of key campaign messages developed by marketing activity in two WRAP teams. More than 2000 face-to-face interviews were conducted in thirteen local authorities

Quantitative survey (face to face) amongst representative sample

NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency

January 2007

Survey of NHS Pharmacists

Study to understand the views of NHS Pharmacists on the performance of their suppliers.

Electronic survey

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

October 2006

Survey of home composting activity in Scotland

A survey of home composting activity amongst Scottish households within five home composting partner areas. Surveys conducted by face-to-face methodology amongst 1000 households using the standard home composting questionnaire with some changes to accommodate a requirement to evaluate the performance and perceptions of those that have purchased a WRAP compost bin (a third to a half of the sample).

Quantitative survey (face to face) amongst representative sample

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

August 2006

Quantitative analysis of food waste produced by UK households

A major UK survey of 2500 households across 13 local authorities. Involved face to face interviews with UK householders (representative of UK census population) and subsequent food waste analysis. Exodus appointed lead contractor in partnership with WastesWork (a waste analysis contractor

Quantitative survey (face to face) amongst representative sample + food waste analysis at household level

Waste and Resource
Action Programme
March 2006

Real nappies campaign survey
EVA3 - 006

A national survey to evaluate the take-up of real nappies over disposables and explore aligned issues. Included face-to face interviews with a national audience of consumers (758) and telephone interviews with retailers (260) and healthcare professionals (200).

Quantitative survey (face to face) amongst representative sample

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

March 2006

To measure the extent to which procurement departments of Local Authorities are specifying recycled content be used in tender specifications and attitudes to developing the markets for recycled materials
EVA1-004

462 out of a total of 467 local authorities were successfully interviewed, with interviews being conducted in a total of 1399 departments across the six areas of procurement under investigation. Fieldwork  4 weeks to contact minimum 211 Local Authorities sample to provide data in support of WRAP’s measurement of performance for the Corporate Business Plan. Telephone methodology -successful interviews conducted 462 (exceeded min standards by 45%)

Quantitative survey (telephone) amongst census sample

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

July 2005

National Home Composting Participation Survey 2005 EVA3-001

A large scale quantitative survey of 20,000+ members of the public to ascertain levels of home composting activity and perceptions/ barriers associated with composting kitchen and garden waste. Project duration 10 weeks.

Quantitative survey (telephone)

NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency

December 2005

Product trials within the NHS for a new range of paper hand towel products to ascertain user perceptions.

Product trials within 17 hospital sites involving samples of medical and domestic staff and visitors (general public). January 2006.

Product trials, observational research + consumer feedback

Kuumba & Arts Council

June 2004

To establish public support and viability of establishing a major new performing Arts centre in Bristol

Telephone and personal (in-street) survey of 850 Bristol residents to measure extent of support for new Arts centre and artistic tastes. In addition 29 interviews with schools arts departments.

Quantitative survey (face to face) amongst representative sample. Desk research + marketing review

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

July 2005

Customer evaluation of the ROTATE service to local authorities to understand the perceptions of the service delivered thus far and expectations of service provision in the future.

Fieldwork July/ August 2005. All local authority customers of ROTATE to be contacted by telephone in two phases August 2005 and Feb 2006. Key performance indicators are to be developed and measured in ongoing assessment. Supports WRAP business plan targets. Interviews with 15 consultants completed in January 2006. This research to be supplemented with interviews with external consultants working with ROTATE to give a 360o picture.

Quantitative survey (telephone) amongst census sample

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

May 2005

To measure the extent to which procurement departments of Local Authorities are specifying recycled content be used in tender specifications and attitudes to developing the markets for recycled materials

Fieldwork of 2 weeks to contact minimum 197 Local Authorities by census sample to provide data in support of WRAP’s measurement of performance for the Corporate Business Plan. Telephone methodology -successful interviews conducted 346 (exceeded min standards by 56%)

Quantitative survey (telephone) amongst census sample

East of England
Development Agency (EEDA)

March 2005

To measure awareness and customer service attributes of EEDA in relation to the business community

Fieldwork of 3 weeks to contact 500 businesses by quota sample in East of England. 541 successful interviews completed. Telephone methodology.

Quantitative survey (telephone) amongst representative sample

Yaa Asantewaa & Arts Council

January 2005

To establish public support and viability of establishing a major new performing Arts centre in Paddington London

Fieldwork to be completed in February 2004. Telephone survey of 750 local residents in the Paddington area of London. 4-week fieldwork duration.

Quantitative survey (face to face) amongst representative sample. Desk research + marketing review

EzGov

December 2004

To audit the presence and customer satisfaction issues of the organisation (and competitors) in UK Government

Phone interviews with it managers of 415 governmental and local government organisations. 234 successful interviews from whole population achieved from 7th – 23rd December 2005

Quantitative survey (telephone) amongst representative sample

Euro Commercials South Wales
December 2004

Measure customer satisfaction and understand key motivations in the purchase & maintenance of commercial vehicles in South Wales

Customer survey of Euro Commercial customers and comparative study of current non-customers. Included a mystery-shopping phase. Total of 975 successful contacts, 544 interviews of which 225 clients and 319 non-clients. Fieldwork 3 weeks. Telephone and face to face interviews.

Quantitative survey (telephone) amongst representative sample

Waste and Resource
Action Programme

June 2004
Dr David Moon
David.moon@wrap.org.uk

To provide information on the tissue & paper product purchased in the NHS (UK). To include volumes purchased, expenditure, perceptions of recycled alternatives and barriers to take up, use of implementation of environmental policies.

The report gathered data from the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, NHS Logistics, Guilbert, Scottish Healthcare Supplies, Welsh Health Supplies and the Northern Ireland Central Services Agency. A further 81 Trust procurement managers, 87 procurement leads/environmental managers, 49 users, 3 PFI providers and 4 tissue or paper manufacturers took part in the survey. Extensive information on the paper and tissue marketplace was provided and we understand that WRAP continues to work with the project team to promote recycled goods and stimulate the market for these materials.

Quantitative survey (telephone) amongst census sample

NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency

June 2004

Product trials within the NHS for a new range of Alcohol Cleansing products to ascertain user perceptions of 12 products.

Product trials within 138 representative hospital sites involving quota sample of medical and domestic staff. Included focus groups with health care professionals in twelve regions to determine key issues that would influence increased compliance with hygiene management.

Product trials, focus groups, observational research + consumer feedback

Smart South West

March 2004

A sample study amongst the 58,000 SME businesses within the South West region to ascertain levels of IT competency and access and perceptions of electronic trading and future business requirements.

In total 6,891 businesses were contacted by telephone and a further 220 assessments were carried out using the Internet during a three week period of research. During this period 6 researchers were used in shifts to maximise activity with respect to business opening hours and availability- for example pubs and restaurants could be called more successfully early evening and call backs to one-man bands scheduled for a time convenient to them.

Quantitative survey (telephone) amongst census sample