Completed MGS research and evaluation
We carry out research into areas of importance to the museums sector in Scotland as outlined in our Research and Evidence Framework. We also evaluate our projects and programmes of work to ensure that they are meeting their objectives, and to assess their impact.
We have an in-house research team to run the research programme, both internal and external. For larger scale research projects we work with consultants.
Similarly, some of our evaluations are carried out in-house and some are conducted by external consultants.
Findings from research and evaluation we have conducted are listed below.
If you’d like to read the full report for any of our research or evaluations, just click on the report title below or in the list on the right of this page to download it.
ALMA-UK Economic Impacts Project Stage 1 Final Report
MGS is working as part of ALMA-UK (the Archives, Libraries and Museums Alliance, UK) to pool resources to initiate research that will help the sector to address the challenges of capturing consistent, robust, high quality economic data. ALMA-UK have published the results of extensive research into existing economic studies. Behind the report results lies an extensive review of 60 economic impact research and consultations with people from across the sector. The report can be downloaded from the ALMA-UK website.
Evaluation of the Recognition Scheme 2010
MGS manages the Recognition Scheme which formally recognises and invests in collections of national significance held in non-national museums and galleries in Scotland. In June 2010, Simon Jaquet Consultancy Services Ltd was commissioned by MGS to undertake the evaluation of the scheme.
Cornerstones of Communities: Museums Transforming Society
This research looks at the role of museums in creating community cohesion and identity. The research developed five case studies to demonstrate this.
RDCF Programme Evaluation: Executive Summary
This is the Executive Summary of the evaluation of the full RDCF programme.
The research not only looked at the role and impact of volunteers in museums and galleries but also the impacts of volunteering on workforce development, the volunteers themselves and on communities. The report also gained a useful insight into the profile of volunteers within museums and galleries and their management practices.
Impacts on Communities full report
This research looks at the social and economic impact of museums in Scotland upon their local communities.
Show Scotland 2008 Museums and Galleries Impact
Year on year evaluation of Show Scotland has really helped Museums Galleries Scotland to develop the 'big events weekend' and the evaluation from 2008 showed that this was the biggest to date with more events and attracting a growing audience. The evaluation has two strands, this report focuses on the Museums and Galleries Evaluation
Show Scotland 2008 Audience Impact
Year on year evaluation of Show Scotland has really helped Museums Galleries Scotland to develop the 'big events weekend' and the evaluation from 2008 showed that this was the biggest to date with more events and attracting a growing audience. The evaluation has two strands, this report focuses on the Audience Evaluation.
Strategic Change Fund Final Evaluation
This report contains the evaluation of the Strategic Change Fund projects. These were 12 projects carried out between 2002 and 2006. The overall aim of the Strategic Change Fund was to promote strategic change through funding projects that deliver or test sustainable outcomes.
Scoping and Mapping Intangible Cultural Heritage in Scotland
This research was commissioned by Museums Galleries Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Arts Council. The project was funded by the recently formed UNESCO Scotland Committee, which is part of the UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC).
Intangible Cultural Heritage in Scotland: The Way Forward Summary Report
Summary of the above report.
Positive Action Traineeships Evaluation
Evaluation of two Positive Action Traineeship posts, funded by Museums Galleries Scotland, which ran from 2005 - 2007.
Museums and Galleries for Every School
This report summarises research commissioned by Museums Galleries Scotland during the 2006-2007 financial year. The project, known as Museums and Galleries for Every School (MGES) set out to explore the potential of introducing a cultural entitlement model for school children aged 5-14 years to access museums and galleries in Scotland.
Survey of ICT in Scotland’s Museums
This report gives the findings of a survey sent to Museums Galleries Scotland members as the first stage of member consultation in the evaluation process for the ICT strategy. The purpose of the survey was to establish the current levels of ICT infrastructure in Scotland’s museums.