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Publications

Here is a selection of our recent publications. Simply click on the title
of an item to read more.

2010

Finding a Clearer Path
June 2010

The Evaluation of the Pathways to Work Programme for Cancer Survivors has now been launched, click here to access it.

Sharing Responsibilities for Asylum-Seekers
March 2010

Matrix Insight were commissioned to find out what responsibilities Member States should take for Asylum-Seekers. Click here to read a summary of this report.

Celebrating Innovation in Healthcare Technology
January 2010

David Thomas, Managing Director of Matrix Knowledge India was recently interviewed by eHealth Magazine.
The interview captures his views about the future of healthcare in India and explains the value-proposition of Matrix towards actualising the vision. The article Transforming through Innovation – Redefining Indian Healthcare through Advanced Informatics can be found here.

2009

Adults Facing Chronic Exclusion (ACE) programme
December 2009

The Adults Facing Chronic Exclusion (ACE) programme was established in 2007 as a cross-government collaboration. The aim of the programme is to test new ways of working with adults facing chronic exclusion to achieve better outcomes for individuals and communities, and whether this can be done more cost effectively than existing approaches.
Matrix Insight was commissioned to evaluate the 12 ACE pilots located across England, this evaluation is designed to capture the common learning from the Programme.

LBRO National Threats Research Reports
December 2009

The Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) commissioned Matrix and Kings College, London, to investigate the extent to which the current system of local regulation does not sufficiently deal with some threats to UK residents, businesses, and consumers. read more »

Study on Access to Cross-border Services in Europe
November 2009

Matrix Insight has recently completed a study for the European commission focussing on understanding the extent to which consumers have equal access to products and services delivered from different countries.

We found that:

  • Consumers are faced with different pricing structures for the same products (with price differences of up to 15%) and with different types of services depending on where they live;
  • these cross-border differences are achieved by producers limiting access to and information about prices and services available to customers residing in other countries, especially in online transactions;
  • these differences are explained by:
    i) variations in the content and enforcement of national regulations across countries;
    ii) variations in the cost of supplying services internationally; and
    iii) variations in demand across countries.
  • To prevent discrimination against consumers in certain countries, regulatory authorities in Europe must consider whether;
    i) pricing structures for and access to cross-border services are based on objective economic and regulatory drivers; and
    ii) the way in which producers achieve price differences online is justified.

The full report can be accessed here and you can read more about Matrix Insight’s European work here.

Analysing the outcomes of the EC funded projects under FP5
November 2009

Matrix Insight was contracted by the Directorate-General for Research, Technology and Development of the EC to undertake statistical and qualitative analyses of data collected as part of an evaluation of projects under Evimp-2. Matrix contribution to the Evimp-2 initiative was substantial in the sense that we provide a sound and robust statistical analysis of the evidence collected from industry participants. You can read the full report here.

Innovation and Competitiveness in Europe
October 2009

Matrix was commissioned by the European Commission to review the impact and effectiveness of its funding of several hundred industrial and technology projects across the EU27. The aim of the program was to support growth, innovation and global competiveness within Europe.
You can see the results of the evaluation exercise here and download the full report.

Prioritising investments in preventative health
October 2009

Health England and Matrix recently launched H.E.L.P (Health England Leading Prioritisation), an interactive on line tool supporting public health professionals and commissioners work in a way that is consistent with ‘World Class Commissioning’. You can now download the full report and visit the H.E.L.P tool website here.

Lifelong Learning and Crime: An Analysis of the Cost-effectiveness of In-prison Educational and Vocational Interventions
July 2009

Matrix was commissioned by NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) to prepare a paper
addressing the question of how far learning can contribute to a reduction in crime. The paper takes a particular approach, applying cost-benefit analysis to different programmes. The analysis produces very
specific results, quantified and given monetary values. It extends the analysis to potential lifetime savings from investment in learning. You can download the report here.

Lifelong Learning and Well-being: An Analysis of the Relationship Between Adult Learning and Subjective Well-being
July 2009

Matrix was commissioned by NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) to prepare a paper
addressing the question of how far learning can contribute to improving well-being. The paper takes a particular approach, applying cost-benefit analysis to produce very specific results, quantified and even
given monetary values. Such an approach is open to criticism, but it helps to focus the debate on alternative choices. You can download the report here.

Research into diseconomies of scale in delivering health and social care in rural areas
July 2009

The Social Exclusion Task Force (SETF) of the Cabinet Office commissioned Matrix to conduct a short-term review of:

  • potential diseconomies of scale that may contribute to inequities in the delivery of health and social care provision between densely and sparsely populated areas; and
  • the potential for current reform policies to create or exacerbate any such diseconomies and inequities.

You can download the report here.

Is custody an effective sentencing option for the UK?
July 2009

Kevin Marsh (Head of Economics at Matrix), Rashmi Sarmah and Chris Fox (Manchester Metropolitan University) wrote a paper on the effectiveness of custody as a sentencing option which was published in the June edition of the Probation Journal. You can read a summary below and download the report here.  read more »

Summary of the Impact Assessment Study of the ERA-NET Scheme
June 2009

The European Commission, through the Directorate-General for Research, commissioned Matrix Insight to evaluate the impact of the ERA-NET scheme. Rambøll Management and independent experts supported Matrix in delivering the impact assessment. Click here to read the report titled Summary of the Impact Assessment Study of the ERA-NET scheme under the Sixth Framework Programme. You can find out more about the study by following this link.

Organisational Health: a new perspective on performance improvement?
June 2009

The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement commissioned Matrix Insight to produce a rapid literature review to understand the potential of organisational health more deeply.
The paper which can be downloaded here begins as a synthesis of the key themes connected to organisational health in the literature and then draws inference from wider concepts to extend these core ideas. It is a research paper that requires some deep concentration and reflection to read. Yet it contains some true insights for thinking about organisational and system performance in the future.

Integrated Care Magazine
March 2009

Dr David Welbourn, Director and Head of Health and Social Care wrote an arcticle in the NAPC National Association of Primary Care) magazine on Integrated Care. The article titled Integrated Care – Attraction or Distraction can be downloaded here.

Health England Report, No. 2
March 2009

The UK Department of Health commissioned this review of existing literature and evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of public health interventions.

Economic Analysis of Drug Transaction “Cycles” Describe by Incarcerated UK Drug Dealers
February 2009

Matrix Knowledge Group gathered and analyzed data regarding the drivers of prices of illegal substances for a study focused on the dynamics of the market for illegal substances.

How Illegal Drugs Enter an Island Country: Insights from Interviews with Smugglers
February 2009

Matrix Knowledge Group gathered and analyzed data regarding the mechanisms by which illegal drugs enter a country.

Economic analysis of drug transaction ‘cycles’ described by incarcerated UK drug dealers
February 2009

Matrix provided the data for a study on drug distribution. The results have been published in a paper titled Economic analysis of drug transaction ‘cycles’ described by incarcerated UK drug dealers.

How illegal drugs enter an island country
February 2009

Matrix provided the data for a study on drug smuggling. The results have been published in a paper titled How illegal drugs enter an island country: insights from interviews with incarcerated smugglers.

The cost of future problem drug use associated with young people
January 2009

Kevin Marsh, Head of Economic Evaluation at Matrix, recently published research on the cost of adolescent drug use in the Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics. For further details on this research, please contact Kevin on email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Do You Get What You Pay for?
January 2009

Kevin Marsh, Head of Economics at Matrix, has recently had a paper published in The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice titled Do You Get What You Pay for? Assessing the Use of Prison from an Economic Perspective. The paper assesses the relative economic costs and benefits of alternative sentences.

Access of BME staff to senior positions in the NHS
January 2009

The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement’s Breaking Through team commissioned the Matrix Knowledge Group to ‘look specifically at the organisational barriers to black and minority ethnic (BME) staff rising to positions of authority and influence in the NHS’ in order to inform future developments.

2008

The application of Directive 2004/80/EC relating to compensation to crime victims
December 2008

This study was commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General: Justice, Freedom and Security. The work was carried out by a research team from Matrix Insight, in association with Professor David Miers acting as an expert independent adviser. Click here to download the study.

Expressing his satisfaction, Vice-President Jacques Barrot said “Compensation for victims of crime in the EU is an important objective in the creation of an area of justice, freedom and security. I am delighted that this report shows that Directive 2004/80 has made it possible to set up a system of cooperation that will make it easier for victims to gain access to fair and appropriate compensation, regardless of where the crime was committed in the EU.” Click here to read more.

A Guide to Giving 3rd edition
December 2008

Matrix contributed a chapter on charity impact evaluation in A Guide to Giving published by Philanthropy UK.

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A Guide to Giving 3rd edition is the updated and essential handbook for 21st century giving. Published by Philanthropy UK and sponsored by private bank Coutts & Co, A Guide to Giving is a valuable and up-to-date resource for both philanthropists and their advisors that sets the benchmark for inspirational, practical and objective guidance. Its ‘Framework for effective giving’ provides a step-by-step process for creating a charitable giving strategy, while profiles of both new and experienced philanthropists engage readers in the journey of giving.

The application of Directive 2004/80/EC relating to compensation to crime victims
December 2008

This study was commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General: Justice, Freedom and Security. The work was carried out by a research team from Matrix Insight, in association with Professor David Miers acting as an expert independent adviser.

Read more »
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Expressing his satisfaction, Vice-President Jacques Barrot said “Compensation for victims of crime in the EU is an important objective in the creation of an area of justice, freedom and security. I am delighted that this report shows that Directive 2004/80 has made it possible to set up a system of cooperation that will make it easier for victims to gain access to fair and appropriate compensation, regardless of where the crime was committed in the EU.” Click here to read more.

Business views of organised crime
December 2008

Matt Hopkins and John Burrows recently wrote a report with Nick Tilley and Adam Edwards titled Business views of organised crime, a Home Office Research Report 10.

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The report develops a methodological approach to measure the extent and impact of organised crime against small businesses. This involved conducting over 400 interviews with business in three English cities. The links below will take you to the report and accompanying documents.

National Innovation Centre, Innovation Metrics Project
November 2008

There is a substantial national and health policy thrust to increase the generation and adoption of innovations. To support this Matrix was commissioned by the NHS National Innovation Centre to identiify how innovative the NHS actually is, with a particular emphasis on technology adoption.

Survey of Step Improvements in Community Services
November 2008

Matrix was commissioned to undertake a survey of step improvements in community services by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement’s Service Transformation Team (STT). This work would be used to support the development of the new Productive Community Services (PCS) programme. You can read the key findings of the survey in the full report or a summary of the findings in the brief document.

The Economic Case For and Against Prison
November 2008

The Monument Trust, the LankellyChase Foundation, and the Bromley Trust commissioned Matrix Knowledge Group to undertake research to inform the debate on sentencing options in the UK. The aim of the research was to collect evidence to outline the economic arguments for and against prison interventions and their alternatives, thereby answering the question: Are prison sentences really a cost-beneficial way of reducing offending behaviour in those populations who are at risk of further offending?

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  • The published report has been updated to include new findings based on the inclusion of new research studies and analysis. The second edition can be downloaded here.
  • The original research findings are available to read in the first edition of the published report.
  • The technical appendix for the report are available here and you can download the original technical appendix here
  • The press release is available here
  • The NOMS (National Offender Management Service) February 2008 bulletin Academy for Justice Commissioning wrote an article on the report

If you have any questions about this research, please get in contact with Maxine Rossbotham on +44 (0)20 7614 0529 or email hidden; JavaScript is required.

DG Research: Statistical and qualitative analysis of the Evimp2 results
November 2008

Matrix Insight was commissioned by the Directorate General for Research, Technology and Development of the European Commission to carry out a statistical and qualitative analyses of data collected as part of an evaluation of projects under the “Competitive and Sustainable Growth” programme which formed part of the 5th Framework Programme (FP5). You can download the report here.

Prioritising investment in public health: A review of the evidence
October 2008

How should healthcare decision-makers prioritise investments in public health? Which public health interventions work and are value for money? The Department of Health commissioned Matrix and Bazian to answer these questions.

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Using a Rapid Evidence Assessment method, and within just one month, Matrix and Bazian reviewed the evidence for 41 interventions types across 8 areas of public policy, including: reduce smoking rates; prevent obesity; prevent dangerous drinking; prevent the uptake of and harm from illicit drug use; reduce the incidence of STI and reduce the rates of teenage pregnancy; promote breast feeding; promote healthy nutrition and dietary patterns; and promote health in the elderly.

Matrix has produced a short, and highly accessible summary of the report which outlines the key findings. You can also view the full published report.

Evaluation of the victims’ advocate
October 2008

In October 2006 the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) commissioned BMRB Social Research, Matrix
Knowledge Group and Paul Rock of the London School of Economics (LSE) to evaluate the
victims’ advocate scheme pilots. This report presents the findings of the evaluation.

The aim of the victims’ advocate scheme (VAS) was to explore how the criminal justice
system (CJS) can improve the support and information available to families in murder and
manslaughter cases, and to give them a voice in court. It involved three optional elements:
enhanced pre-trial support; a family impact statement; and personal and social legal advice.
The scheme was piloted in five Crown Court centres (Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff,
Winchester and the Central Criminal Court in London) and ran between 24 April 2006 and
23 April 2008.

Identifying and supporting people most at risk of dying prematurely
September 2008

Matrix was commissioned by NICE to assess the cost-effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving the access of disadvantaged groups to statins and to smoking cessation interventions. As well as a review of the existing literature, the project involved constructing an economic model that, among other things, represents one of the first attempts to apply equity weights to QALYs in a NICE review. Click on the links below to download the consultation documents.

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  1. Economic analysis of interventions to improve the use of smoking cessation interventions in disadvantaged populations
  2. Economic analysis of interventions to improve the use of smoking cessation interventions in the general population
  3. Economic analysis of interventions to improve the use of statins in disadvantaged populations
  4. Economic analysis of interventions to improve the use of statins interventions in the general population
  5. Supplementary economic analysis on interventions to reduce health inequalities

Innovation Index Working Paper
September 2008

Matrix, Imperial College London and University of York prepared a paper on Innovation and Well-being for NESTA.

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The aims of this project were to:

  1. review what is known about the relationship between innovation and well-being and, in particular, the causal relationship from innovation to wellbeing; and
  2. consider whether data in the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) could be used to shed light on this relationship.

Dedicated Drug Court Pilots – A Process Report
April 2008

Matrix has produced an independent process evaluation of the Dedicated drug court pilots in England and Wales for the Ministry of Justice.

In December 2005, the then Department of Constitutional Affairs announced a commitment to pilot Dedicated Drug Courts as part of the government’s agenda to reduce drug-related crime.

The illicit drug trade in the United Kingdom
February 2008

The Home Office commissioned Matrix Knowledge Group to undertake research into the structure of the illicit drug market in the UK. The research combined sociological, economic, and business techniques and interviewed over 200 dealers and traffickers in prison for more than seven years in the largest study of its kind ever undertaken.

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Following the publication of this report Matrix has produced a short, and highly accessible, Practitioner Guide which outlines the key findings from this report.

There has been a large amount of publicity from this report including several newspaper articles:

2007

An economic analysis of School-Home Support
October 2007

Matrix completed a piece of research for the charity School-Home Support. This work was funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. Matrix estimates that for every pound spent on the charity’s work in schools, £21.14 is saved across the whole of society.

Understanding Drug Markets And How To Influence Them
October 2007

The latest report in the Beckley series looks at the operation of middle-level drug dealers, and how their behaviour is influenced by the activities of the law enforcement agencies. Based on a small number of studies that have been carried out in this field, the report finds that, while it is unlikely that law enforcement action can achieve long term and sustainable reductions in the overall scale of a drug market, properly targeted activities can impact on the nature of the market, and affect the behaviour of dealers and trafficking organisations.

Reducing Avoidable Deaths in Hospital
June 2007

You can now have access to two guides written by Matrix on reducing avoidable deaths in hospital. The titles of the two guides are Chief Executives lead the way and Medical Directors drive improvement.

National Convention for Safer Communities
June 2007

You can now download the Masterclass presentations from the National Convention for Safer Communities by clicking on the following presentation links.

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The role of public health in supporting the development of integrated services
May 2007

The CSIP (Care Services Improvement Partnership) have published a paper written by Matrix on The role of public health in supporting the development of integrated services.

Evaluation of the Healthcare Commission’s Core Standard Assessment
March 2007

Matrix has written a report on the Evaluation of the impact, costs and benefits of the Healthcare Commission’s core standard assessment.

Final Report on the National Evaluation of the Local Exercise Action Pilots
March 2007

The final report from the national evaluation of the Local Exercise Action Pilots has now been published. Matrix undertook research to calculate the cost of LEAP and modelled the long-term economic benefits associated with the improvements in physical activity resulting from LEAP.

Community-based interventions to reduce substance misuse among vulnerable young people
March 2007

NICE commissioned Matrix to produce public health guidance on community-based interventions to reduce substance misuse among vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people.

2006

Cost effectiveness of interventions to reduce young people’s substance misuse
August 2006

Matrix was commissioned by NICE to write two papers on the cost effectiveness of interventions to reduce young people’s substance misuse. You can download the following reports by clicking on the links below.

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National Evaluation of the Street Wardens Programme
August 2006

In 2002 the neighbourhood renewal unit (NRU) commissioned Matrix to lead the national evaluation of the street wardens programme. This report provides the findings of the evaluation, which was based on household surveys, case studies and questionnaires.

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The report set out to look at what effect the Street Wardens Programme (SWP) was having, in particularly looking to see if they have:

  • Improved the physical appearance of streets
  • Fostered social inclusion
  • Reduced crime and fear of crime, and
  • Deterred anti-social behaviour (ASB)

Cost effectiveness of primary care-based physical activity interventions
April 2006

Matrix was commissioned by NICE to write two papers on the cost effectiveness of primary care-based physical activity interventions. You can download the following reports by clicking on the links.

2005

Good care planning for people with long-term conditions: updated version
September 2005

NHS Modernisation Agency commissioned Matrix to identify and report on the key elements of good care planning for people with long-term conditions.

Research, evaluation and shaping organised crime policy
August 2005

Matrix have recently co-authored a paper with Dr. Nicky Millar from the Home Office’s Research Directorate on how research and evaluation can play an important role in helping to develop more effective agency responses to tackling organised crime.