Public attitudes towards fireworks in Scotland: representative omnibus survey

Appendix A: Technical appendix

Method

• The data was collected by online omnibus. 
• The target group for this research study was a representative sample of the Scottish population.
• The sampling frame for this study was the YouGov Scottish panel. 
• The target sample size was 1,000 and the final achieved sample size was 1,002.
• Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th May 2019 and 14th May 2019.
• Respondents are invited from YouGov’s opt-in panel of over 30,000 Scottish adults. The survey uses targeted quota sampling to select which participants are invited, as this allows demographic targets to be reached efficiently. This involves identifying key quota groups within the sample and randomly selecting potential respondents within them. These key quota groups include:
  − Age group
  − Gender
  − Scottish region
  − Socio-economic grouping

• Data gathered using self-completion methodologies are subject to validation. Where the data is collected via an internet survey using an access panel, all respondents can only submit one response due to a system of password protection.  Our internet panel supplier, YouGov, also complies with the rules of the Market Research Society (MRS) and European Society for Opinion and Marking Research (ESOMAR).

• All research projects undertaken by Progressive comply fully with the requirements of ISO 20252.

Data processing and analysis 

• The final data set was weighted to reflect the Scottish population.
• The sample base before weighting is 1,002, whilst the weighted sample base is 1,002.
• Quota controls were to be used to guide sample selection for this study. This means that statistically precise margins of error or significance testing are not appropriate, as the sampling type is non-probability. The margins of error outlined below should therefore be treated as indicative, based on an equivalent probability sample.
• The overall sample size of 1,002 provides a dataset with an approximate margin of error of between ±0.62% and ±3.1%, calculated at the 95% confidence level (market research industry standard).
• Responses to open-ended questions were spell checked and sense checked. They were then analysed by an experienced team of coders. Coders created an analytical framework that was used to identify themes and common ideas.
• A SNAP Surveys (Progressive’s survey and DP programme) (SNAP) programme was set up with the aim of providing the client with useable and comprehensive data. Cross-breaks were discussed in order to ensure that all information needs were met. The following sub-group analysis was carried out:
  − Gender
  − Socio-economic grouping
  − Age group
  − Scottish region
  − Scottish Government 2 fold Urban Rural Classification
  − Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)