Access to period products: monitoring and evaluation strategy 2021/22 to 2024/25

Annex D – Research questions and data collection

Research question

Q1: How much does delivering access to free period products cost?

Sub-questions

a) What was local authorities' and education providers' total spend on providing access to free period products?

b) What was local authorities' and education providers' total spend on purchasing period products?

c) What is the average unit cost of period products purchased by local authorities and education providers?

d) What additional costs did local authorities' and education providers' incur (e.g. marketing, ongoing delivery, staffing)?

Data source

Baseline reporting, Routine monitoring & Independent evaluation

Research question

Q2: What level of demand is there for period products?

Sub-questions

a) How many period products were purchased by local authorities and education providers? How does this compare to the number required to meet the requirements of the whole menstruating population in Scotland?

Data source

Baseline reporting & Independent evaluation

Sub-questions

a) How many period products were purchased by local authorities and education providers? How does this compare to the number required to meet the requirements of the whole menstruating population in Scotland?

b) What proportion of period product users reported accessing free period products from their local authority or education provider? Did this differ by area or user demographics?

c) How often are product users accessing period products from their local authority or education provider?

Data source

Baseline survey data & Independent evaluation

Research question

Q3: How is access to free period products being provided by local authorities and education providers?

Sub-questions

a) Where are free products being provided?

b) What product types, brands and absorbencies are being made available?

c) Are product users aware of where and how they can access free period products from their local authority or education provider?

Data source

Baseline survey data & Independent evaluation

Research question

Q4: Does delivery of access to free period products meet user needs?

Sub-questions

a) Among those accessing free period products from their local authority or education provider, what were the reasons?

b) Were product users able to access their preferred product types?

c) Were product users able to access products in a sufficient quantity to meet their needs?

d) Did product users experience any barriers to accessing free period products?

e) Do product users feel that delivery allows for dignified access to free period products?

f) Do product users feel able to influence the delivery of access to free period products?

Data source

Baseline survey data & Independent evaluation

Research question

Q5: What impact did the availability of free period products have on users?

Sub-questions

a) As a result of the availability of free period products, are product users less worried about having their period?

b) As a result of the availability of free period products, do product users feel more able to continue with their day-to-day activities (including attending work and education)?

c) Has the availability of free period products had any impact on household finances?

Data source

Baseline survey data & Independent evaluation