Collect and analyse numerical data

Performance metrics

Performance metrics are the standardised figures and data that Welsh Government ask for to help them quantify activities in local authority services.

Each of the metrics in the Performance and improvement framework for social services: additional guidance 2024 to 2025 comes with a detailed technical definition.

These definitions were developed by the Welsh Government National Reporting sub-group, which worked with local authority data and information specialists. The Children’s Data and Performance group and the Adults’ Data and Performance group have now replaced the National Reporting sub-group. These groups meet regularly to review the data collections that make up the Performance and Improvement Framework.

The definitions were designed to be used by local authority data and information specialists. They’ve been developed to create a shared understanding of what data Welsh Government collect for each metric and how it’s counted. This helps make sure that the same data is collected across Wales.

Questionnaires and surveys

Top tips: developing a survey or questionnaire - Age UK

This resource provides practical guidance and advice on designing a survey or questionnaire.

Data collection tips: developing a survey - Innovation Network

You'll find clear guidance on how to develop a survey, including some useful advice about the wording of questions. It also includes information that’s relevant for developing questionnaires.

Resources library: questionnaires - Clear Horizon Academy

There's a helpful table comparing different delivery modes for questionnaires and surveys. It also describes the process of designing and carrying out a questionnaire and survey. The resource is free but you need to register to access the information.

The Government Analysis Function website - the Office for National Statistics

There's a range of resources to support the collection, analysis and reporting of numerical information. You'll find two guides:

• a user-centred approach to surveys
• questionnaire design guidance.

Trial methodology

The use of experiments in social care is relatively limited. But there are times when carrying out a trial can be helpful.

Capacity and consent to research - Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research

This site supports researchers carrying out research (in particular, trials) with adults who lack capacity. It’s also relevant for others who are carrying out research and evaluation. There are helpful resources to support communication in different contexts: The INCLUDE Impaired Capacity to Consent Framework and free Consult e-learning training.

Designing and conducting experimental and quasi-experimental research - Colorado State University

This introduction to experimental research provides guidance on how to prepare and run a clinical experiment or trial. It also has a section on the ethical considerations when carrying out this type of research.

Economic approaches

A range of economic approaches can be used in research and evaluation. 

VfM Toolkit - Oxford University

This is an Excel spreadsheet that’s designed to help plan services, focusing on calculating service costs and the financial value of projected outcomes. Several of the tool components will help teams think about how to calculate costs and outcomes in evaluations. The tool comes with a guide and video introduction.

Starting out on SROI - Social Value UK

This is a brief introduction to Social Return on Investment (SROI). SROI is a form of economic evaluation that looks at the social value created.

A guide to SROI - Social Value UK

This document provides more detail about how to measure, manage and account for social value and social impact using an SROI approach.

Data analysis

As well as analysing data by using descriptive statistics (for example, how often something is happening), you might also want to run some statistical tests. Statistical tests can help you find out things like whether outcomes have improved after an intervention. These resources can help you carry out your data analysis:

Understanding and using statistical methods - Colorado State University

This resource provides detailed explanations of statistical terms and the main types of analysis. It covers descriptive statistics, correlations, and analysing differences between groups.

There’s a brief introduction to basic descriptive statistics, including frequencies, range, standard deviation, median, mode and mean.

Glossary of key data analysis terms - Wilder Research

This short document provides helpful explanations of statistical terms relating to descriptive statistics, sampling, and significance. The glossary also includes some information about statistical tests.