Sport England is an organisation that is focused on achievement and where decisions are based on evidence rather than opinion and anecdote.

In line with the recommendations made in Game Plan, the joint DCMS and Strategy Unit report, and the Framework for Sport in England, Sport England is committed to building on and improving the evidence-base for sport.

Research is at the heart of the modernised Sport England and the overall aim of Sport England's research is to:

'carry out high quality research which contributes towards evidence-based decision making in sport to inform strategic policy, strengthen the case for the value of sport and increase the effectiveness of investment in achieving our shared vision of making England an active and successful sporting nation'

The principles that underpin Sport England's research:

Sport England's research agenda is closely connected to Sport England's strategic priorities and the research programme is designed to influence and shape policy and practice in sport. Research has an important role to play in challenging policy and development priorities rather than just being responsive to them.

Equity in sport is a high priority in all aspects of Sport England's research, from the design, to implementation and reporting of outcomes.  Much of the focus of Sport England's research is on identifying and understanding better the inequities in sporting opportunity which exist amongst different groups in the population and the way these may be overcome.

Sport England's research maintains the highest quality standards to ensure that outcomes from research studies are credible, defensible and can be replicated if required. All research carried out by Sport England is required to meet demanding quality standards.