An Evaluation of the Commonwealth Games 2014 Legacy for Scotland Report 1: Questions, Methods and Baseline

3 Forward Plan and Priorities

Introduction

3.1 This Report 1 has set out our approach to the Games Legacy evaluation, our key questions and the methods that we will use to address those questions between now and 2019. Most of this work has just commenced, or is in development.

3.2 In the 4 Annexes we have introduced each national legacy theme, set out our proposed indicator set and presented the baseline data for 2008 to the latest available year. As stated earlier, while we present baseline data from 2008, it is important to note that we would not expect to see a change in many of these indicators due to the Glasgow 2014 Games at this point.

3.3 We expect to publish a further four evaluation reports between now and 2019.

• A pre-Games report in 2014
• A post-Games report in 2015
• An interim legacy report in 2017
• A final legacy report in 2019

3.4 It is difficult to be absolutely prescriptive at this stage about when results will be available from different elements of this evaluation. However, the table below gives an indication of when various elements of the evaluation should generate data and results.

Table 3.1: Results available at publication date

Priorities to Spring 2014

3.5 There are a number of priorities for the coming 18 months to help refine our approach and to generate the data we need for the pre-Games report in 2014, and for future years. These include:

A) Outcome indicators

• Developing and refining the outcomes map and 'pathways of change'. There will be refinements to the outcomes map as current legacy initiatives build, and new ones come on stream. In addition, we are keen to ensure specific pieces of analysis and evaluations 'test' the theory, or expected 'pathways of change' for programmes and projects.
• Refining and updating the indicator set. We expect to further refine and add to our indicator set as new, or better, indicators become available. This will include a proactive role for GLEWG in addressing key gaps in data. For example, we are planning to generate Scottish data on public support and engagement with the Glasgow 2014 Games through the SHS in 2013 onwards, and to use the Schools Omnibus to generate data on young people's awareness, support and engagement with the Glasgow 2014 Games. We also plan to explore with partners how we might assess media coverage and value. Web-based reporting is planned and should go live in 2013.

B) Secondary analysis

• Assessing the potential of cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys to answer key research questions. We are proposing to commission a scoping exercise to assess the potential of UK, national and Glasgow level cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys to address our key research questions the medium to long term - particularly questions 1, 4, and 5 (referred to earlier as a 'Data Review in support of the Commonwealth Games Legacy Evaluation'). We will also further explore what analysis is possible for equalities groups. This will include an assessment of where we might recommend adding new questions to surveys for future years.
• Undertaking secondary analysis of the Scottish Health Survey 2012. Additional questions on physical activity were asked on the Scottish Health Survey in 2012 and will be available for analysis later in 2013. This will be especially helpful in exploring the relationship between sports participation and physical activity in Scotland. This analysis will begin in later 2013 when the Scottish Health Survey 2012 data become available. There will also be additional questions on culture in the 2013 SHS. In both cases there would be scope for repetition in future years.

C) GoWell

• Reporting on sweep 1 of the GoWell study in Glasgow's east end and developing the qualitative and ecological components. The first findings of this study will report in early 2013. The research team will also be developing and commencing the qualitative element of the GoWell study in 2013, and working on the ecological analysis of the east end. The qualitative work will explore in depth some sweep 1 survey findings.

D) Monitoring and Evaluation studies

• Working with partners to map out legacy programme evaluations and to agree the priorities. We plan to map out current and proposed evaluations of legacy programmes across our partners, and to work with them on agreeing priorities and resources. This includes organisations represented on GLEWG, but also some of the other key legacy funders including BIG and Comic Relief. Development of this strand of the legacy evaluation will be crucial to allow the 'bottom up' evidence on the contribution of legacy programmes and projects.

E) Economic assessment

• Progressing the economic assessment work. As a first step, an assessment of the economic contribution of the capital investment on the construction and refurbishment of venues for the Glasgow 2014 Games has been estimated using the latest Scottish Government Input-Output model of the economy. The next step is for GLEWG to discuss a more detailed proposal for work which draws together a number of sources and evaluation approaches to present a narrative of the economic contribution of the Games over the legacy period on the East End, Glasgow and Scotland as a whole.

F) Primary research on partnership

• Undertaking, or commissioning, research to explore partnership, leverage and collaboration in the pre-Games phase. We are proposing to undertake some work to explore whether the Games venture has changed the way in which partners are working together across Scotland This could constitute a baseline position pre-Games, allowing a post-Games follow up to ascertain whether partners capitalised on the impacts and experience of the Glasgow 2014 Games.

Forward Look

3.6 As outlined above we plan to publish our next report pre-Games in 2014. To keep up to date with developments on this evaluation and other Games related research it is also possible to join our new Commonwealth Games 2014 Legacy group¹³ by registering at https://knowledgehub.local.gov.uk/ and applying to join the "Commonwealth Games 2014 Legacy" Group.