Public dialogue on the use of data by the public sector in Scotland
This report presents the findings from a public dialogue on the use of data in Scotland commissioned by the Scottish Government to explore the ethics of data-led projects. The purpose of the panel was to inform approaches to data use by the Scottish Government and public sector agencies in Scotland.
Appendix C: sampling and recruitment
The Sortition Foundation, a recruitment organisation specialising in representative random sampling, conducted recruitment for the public panel by sending 6,000 invitation letters across Scotland, using the Royal Mail Postcode Address File. Those living in more deprived areas were over-sampled to account for the lower response rates that are typically found in these areas. Recipients of the invite letter were signposted to an online form to register their interest.
Based on all those who registered their interest in joining the panel (293), a randomised stratified selection process took place that broadly reflected the demographics of Scotland, including age, gender, region, ethnicity, disability and education. Ethnic minority groups were over-sampled at the selection stage to ensure sufficient representation of these groups. An attitudinal measure was also included in the selection process to ensure a range of views were represented in terms of trust in the Scottish Government and public sector agencies to use data for the public good.
Overall, 30 people were selected to join the panel and 25 participated throughout. A table summarising the demographic profile of the final selected and confirmed sample can be found below.
Quota group |
% in population |
Number selected for panel |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Age |
16-24 |
11% |
3 |
25-34 |
18% |
6 |
|
35-54 |
32% |
10 |
|
55+ |
38% |
11 |
|
Gender |
Woman |
52% |
16 |
Man |
48% |
13 |
|
Region |
Non-binary/other |
No clear data |
1 |
Central |
12% |
3 |
|
Glasgow |
13% |
4 |
|
Highlands and islands |
8% |
2 |
|
Lothians |
15% |
5 |
|
Mid Scotland and Fife |
12% |
4 |
|
North East Scotland |
14% |
5 |
|
South |
13% |
4 |
|
West |
13% |
3 |
|
Ethnicity |
African, Caribbean, Black or Black Scottish/British |
1% |
2 |
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British |
3% |
3 |
|
White Scottish/Other British/White Other |
96% |
24 |
|
Other ethnic group or mixed/multiple ethnic groups |
0% |
1 |
|
Disability |
No long-term physical or mental health condition |
70% |
22 |
Long-term physical or mental health condition which is limiting |
24% |
6 |
|
Long-term physical or mental health condition which is not limiting |
6% |
2 |
|
Education |
Level 4 (Degree, Professional Qualification) |
32% |
10 |
Level 3 (HNC/HND or equivalent) |
13% |
4 |
|
Level 2 (Higher, A level or equivalent) |
17% |
5 |
|
Level 1 (O Grade, Standard Grade or equivalent) |
17% |
7 |
|
No qualifications |
15% |
4 |
|
To what extent would you trust the Scottish Government and public sector agencies (for example councils or health boards) to use your data for the public good? |
A great deal |
No data |
7 |
A fair amount |
No data |
14 |
|
Not very much |
No data |
2 |
|
Not at all |
No data |
2 |
|
It depends on the department or agency |
No data |
3 |
|
Don’t know |
No data |
2 |
Contact
Email: michaela.omelkova@gov.scot
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