Outputs, structure and process in the evaluation of social science research centres

Using the evaluation of two social science research centres as an example, this illustrates the distinctive contributions made through the analysis of the outputs of research, the structures within which it is organised and the processes by which it is carried out. Quantitative and qualitative data are combined in ways which are sensitive to the contingencies faced by each Centre. The process is necessarily uneven, since some indicators may be inappropriate. The details of the methodology adopted must therefore be tailored to each evaluation, whilst retaining a common approach designed to establish a sound basis of fact and quantitative analysis.