Intervention > Issues Surveys and Research


What is Issues Surveys and Research?
Issues surveys and research involves a process of collecting and analysing information for specific organisational issues.

Issues surveys and research provides concise feedback and recommendations on initial priority issues in an organisation at any point of time.

How does it work?
Issues research can be conducted using either or both quantitative and/or qualitative methods.

Quantitative research, such as a survey, is a systematic process of collecting and testing data before generating and interpreting results. Qualitative research can include methods such as focus groups and personal interviews. The outcome is more interpretative, but can provide deeper insights and hence quality.

Two other frequently used terms include primary and secondary research. Primary research describes information gathered through interaction with other people and can be obtained through meetings, one-on-one interviews, focus groups and surveys. Secondary research involves the collection of information from literature, publications and broadcast media.

Issues research and surveys may be conducted by internal staff members or by external workplace research professionals, such as ITIM consultants.

When ITIM undertakes a research project, an initial meeting is held with organisation representatives and ITIM consultants to discuss the types of issues, concerns and problems that are preventing employees from achieving set goals and objectives. Equipped with this information, the ITIM researcher prepares and submits a research proposal to the client organisation. This proposal may involve the utilisation of an ‘off the shelf’ survey that has previously been tested and which reliably and credibly measures specific issues in the workplace. At other times, ITIM researchers have found that a combination of research methods is necessary. This may involve the use of a survey along with personal interviews with staff and / or focus groups.

A research project with a client organisation can take two weeks to six months.

TIM undertakes research using a range of approaches including individual face-to-face, telephone, on-line, email and/or focus groups.

Is it for You?
Issues research and surveys are frequently requested by employers who want a ‘snapshot’ of what is happening in their organisations and how productivity, safety and employee satisfaction can be improved.

The main areas for the use of surveys and research include recruitment and selection, determining personality types with MBTI, organisational development, career planning and professional development.

Employers who appoint professional workplace researchers generally want to know:
• how to recruit and select the ‘right’ people
• what motivates and empowers employees
• how to increase effectiveness
• if existing organisational structures are adversely affecting development
• the level of employee’s verbal, quantitative and abstract reasoning skills
• what personality types best fit with the organisation’s corporate culture
• the skills and aptitudes required for certain positions
• the level of staff satisfaction
• how to retain productive employees
• how to reduce workplace conflict
• what types of employees are most likely to suffer from stress and what can be done to help them
• how to boost staff morale, loyalty and trust
• the likelihood of critical and traumatic incidents taking place
• how to increase workplace safety and productivity
• types of training and development programs that are required.

What are the Benefits of Issues Surveys and Research?
Appointing professional workplace researchers has a range of benefits.

Benefits for employers are they:
• receive a professional and external ‘snapshot’ of key concerns occurring in a work environment
• monitor changes in employees’ skills, behaviours, and attitudes
• implement proactive strategies that minimise employees’ resistance to change
• reduce the likelihood of managers making decisions that won’t work
• gauge the effectiveness of change initiatives
• improve results
• give employees a sense of being heard increasing their commitment to the organisation
• instigate strategies that have been based on objective findings

Benefits to employees include:
• a chance to find out about their own skills’ levels, abilities, personalities and training requirements
• a sense of organisational involvement in which they are asked for their opinions, and perspectives on the work environment
• a sense of being heard which increases their commitment to the organisation
• a possibility to contribute to the appraisal and growth of the organisation.

Why Choose ITIM?
ITIM Australia has been providing professional research services to Australian organisations for over 40 years. In this time, researchers have vigorously questioned and improved their techniques to ensure their work is consistent with best practice standards and exceeds client expectations. ITIM also has an established Human Research Ethics Committee overseen by a Queens Counsel. The Committee appraises every research suggestion and project proposal prior to it being undertaken to ensure ethical standards are not breached and the confidentiality of subjects is not revealed except where appropriate.

Other reasons to choose ITIM include its commitment to:
• suggest the most appropriate and cost effective research proposals
• tailor research and surveys to meet the needs of organisations
• ensure that research is conducted with valid, reliable and appropriate research instruments and methods
• ensure results and recommendations are impartial and practical
• present easy-to-understand reports that assist managers in making key business decisions
• meet best practice standards
• offer state-of-the-art research technology to clients
• be linked with research-oriented universities
• provide a safe and confidential medium for participants to answer questions and/or complete surveys
• provide an extensive list of client organisations in a multitude of industries
• adhere to ethical standards
• look for newer and better ways of meeting the productivity, morale and safety needs of people in workplaces
• constantly seek to refine and improve information collection strategies