Building Stronger Community through Research

Social Research

The Social Planning Council undertakes social research with the view of offering Ottawa residents the means to exercise informed leadership. Our research work informs and is at the same time informed by our community building activities.

We partner with academia and key community leaders to conduct practical research that identifies and analyzes the needs of the Ottawa residents and conceptualizes ways to resolve problems. We also conduct asset-based research that identifies and mobilizes existing community strengths and resources to meet collective challenges.

We communicate the findings of our research through regular publications, special reports, community mapping reports, public presentations, community consultations, and popular fact sheets featured in our web and in our newsletter. We also lend our skills and resources to community agencies and social activists through the provision of custom research and data on specific issues of concern (Information Requests).

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Research Services to the Community

The Social Planning Council lends its experience in social research, policy analysis, and community consultation to not-for-profit organizations and individuals through the provision of the following services:

Information Requests
The Social Planning Council operates as a clearinghouse for information on the socio-demograhic and socio-economic make-up of Ottawa, on social issues of concern to residents, and on the voluntary sector in Ottawa. Our clients may access our centralized database, containing census electronic data, local administrative data, as well as SPC-developed data on Ottawa's social sector, by submitting an information request to Dianne Urquhart.

Custom Research
The Social Planning Council is available to partner with not-for-profit organizations, community groups or academia in meeting their research needs. Our researchers are skilled in quantitative and qualitative analysis on economic and social issues, the design and management of research projects, participatory research methodologies, group facilitation, social mapping, and research project coordination. Learn more...

Public Presentations
The Social Planning Council is available to speak at public events or meetings on social issues. We provide public presentations on the following issues:

• Analysis of socio-demographic and socio-economic trends in Ottawa;
• Child poverty
• Poverty;
• Diversity;
• Labour Force, Employment, and Unemployment;
• The Voluntary Sector;
• Community Development; and
• GIS Mapping;

Social Mapping
Social Planning Council provides mapping services to its clients/members or on contract. We use a Geographic Information System that integrates geo-spatial data and clients' local data on specific issues that concern our clients. Laying out your issues on maps adds value to the eloquence of your data and facilitates decision making.

Bring us your data or tell us what is your concern and we will produce maps on "where on earth your issues lie", what are relevant social or economic trends, and how your issue inter-relates with other issues.

Free socio-economic data
The Social Planning Council provides free socio-economic data both on-line and in our community magazine (Our Social Capital). Check our thematic listing of fact sheets.

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Fact Sheets

Want to be up to speed on social issues in Ottawa? Check out our thematical fact sheets.

• Housing
• Employment
• Diversity
• Disability
• Seniors

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Custom Research

The Social Planning Council lends its expertise in research design, coordination and implementation to clients including community agencies, social institutions, and indviduals. Our targeted, custom research services include:

• Quantitative analysis, using census data and small area administrative data;
• Qualitative analysis and research;
• Conducting surveys, using SPC-developed and strategically distributed questionnaires;
• Facilitating focus groups and analyzing the result;
• Social Mapping that uses your data to illustrate "where on earth" your issues are significant;
• Public event organization and coordination;
• Outreach and public participation strategies;
• Policy analysis and research.

How to Apply for Our Custom Research Services

Our custom research is for fee-for-service basis that aims only to cost-recover. Given the limited resources that are currently available to the Council and the high demand for research, we will meet the requests of members before non-members. To apply, please download an application form and e-mail it to Dianne Urquhart.

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280 Metcalfe Street, Suite 501, Ottawa, Ont. K2P 1R7 Tel.: 613-236-9300 Fax: 613-236-7060
office@spcottawa.on.ca