Completed research
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COMPLETED
Parents and Websites Project: A review and the development of a Good Practice Guide
Background
During the last few years, there has been a huge increase in the amount of information and support available to parents via websites. These websites have different aims, formats, content, images, styles, etc. Given the rapid development of website provision, there has been little opportunity to review these websites, or to assess the extent to which they are meeting parents’ needs. This is what this project aimed to do. It was funded by a Parenting Fund grant in the DfeES.
The Project
This project, which was undertaken during 2004, involved four key stages:
First , we undertook a review of the types of information and support provided on websites. This included both websites aimed solely at parents, as well as more specialist websites which provide information for practitioners and policy-makers, as well as for parents.
Second , we interviewed senior staff in a range of parenting and specialist organisations, to gather information about the aims and development of their websites.
Third , we conducted research with parents, to look at their experiences of using websites to get information and support, and the effectiveness of current website provision. The latter will involved ‘hands on’ research in front of terminals, reviewing content, style, navigability, accessibility, etc.
Finally , we used this information to write and produce a Good Practice Guide.
Outcomes
A full research report on this project, as well as a four-page executive summary, is now available from TSA. The Good Practice Guide is also available from TSA’s Publications Department.
Project Workers
Dr Debi Roker and Amanda Holt were responsible for this project.
More information:
Please contact Young People in Focus
Email: info@youngpeopleinfocus.org.uk
Tel: 01273 693311
February 2005