My name is Professor Stephen Morris and I teach on the Sociology postgraduate courses at Manchester Met. My teaching specialisms are evaluation using quantitative methods, and mix method research; and my subject areas include programme and policy evaluation methods, and social science research design and methodology.

My research has featured in books, journals and reports, including The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology (JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd., 2007), Journal of Economic Policy Reform and British Journal of Community Justice.

My research has featured in books, journals and reports.

What is your current research project?

I am currently working on a project called Whole School SEND Review, and it’s funded by Education Endowment Foundation. The study seeks to understand the impact of new approaches to supporting secondary school pupils with special educational needs, on pupil’s mental health and their education attainment.

Who is involved with the research?

Professor Cathy Lewin and I are the Principal Investigators that lead the work. Cathy is a specialist education researcher, and I am a methodologist. My role is to design the study, select the sample and conduct complex statistical analysis on the data that we collect. At the end of the work, Cathy, myself, and the rest of the team will write a report that describes our findings.

I design studies, select samples and conduct complex statistical analysis on data collected.

What research methods are you using?

The approach we are using in this study is known as a randomised controlled trial. Students that study on our MSc Evaluation and Policy Analysis will learn how to design studies like this one, analyse results from them and learn how to use their findings to inform policy and practice.

What will the results of your research be used for?

This type of study is commissioned by the government funded What Works Centres. There are a number of these centres arranged by subject area, and their role is to commission work to fill gaps in our knowledge about how to tackle different social problems. Studies like the one I’m working on contribute directly to the understanding of what works to tackle social problems. In the case of the study discussed here, it will inform teachers and school leaders how they might better address the requirements of children with special needs.

I teach students how to design studies like this one, analyse results and use their findings to inform policy and practice.

Can students get involved?

We conduct many studies like the one discussed here. Our teaching draws extensively on this work, and some of the data analysis students will learn about will be carried out using teaching data sets drawing on these studies. There are also opportunities to work on some of these projects through undertaking an internship.

There is also the chance to create industry connections - this type of work involves partnership with the What Works Centres, learning organisations, data collection agencies and other academics.

Find out more about MSc Evaluation and Policy Analysis.