Drivers and Value of Engagement

The initial scoping phase, so important for providing a sound and lasting framework for the data and evidence reviews, has now ended and the hard work has begun. Technical work on the modelling is under way, including reviewing over 50 different datasets in the UK that could be useful for the model. The systematic review of the research – a wide-ranging hunt for any study in our sector that addresses engagement – has unearthed over 10,000 studies. This allows us to begin the process of mapping the research onto systems dynamics model of engagement, putting evidence-base into action. And remember, if you know of a published study looking at the drivers of impacts of engagement in culture or sport, let us know. For more information email case@culture.gsi.gov.uk Having identified over 10,000 relevant studies, the next task is to begin extracting knowledge from the research and feed it into the model. How are we doing this? The model of engagement contains a number of different basic element – some population characteristics, engagement characteristics, and things that influence engagement. The relationship between these different elements is described by parameters in the model, reflecting the likely strength and direction of the relationship between say engaging in art and the quality of the experience. The aim is to draw off the best studies from the database to allow us to define a sensible and realistic parameter for these relationships. This means two things: i) we ensure the research is brought to life in a logical or coherent framework for understanding engagement and ii) we can identify weaker research or where no research exists and target areas that therefore need strengthening with new, high quality studies. There is no doubt that in the literally thousands of parameters that we need to find values for there will be significant gaps. The important thing though, is both knowing there is a gap and knowing how important a gap it is.