The ESRC National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) forms part of ESRC’s strategy to improve the standards of research methods across the UK social science community. The Centre has worked closely with the ESRC Research Methods Programme which finished in September 2007. NCRM provides a focal point for research, training and capacity building activities. These activities are aimed at promoting a step change in the quality and range of methodological skills and techniques used by the UK social science community, and providing support for, and dissemination of, methodological innovation and excellence within the UK.