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RETENTION OF ORGANS AT POST-MORTEM: ANALYSIS OF RESPONSES TO THE CONSULTATION ON THE REVIEW GROUP PHASE 3 REPORT
CHAPTER 3: APPROACH TO ANALYSIS
One of the challenges for any analysis of consultation responses is handling, in a systematic manner, any detailed free text material submitted by respondents. As previously stated, although topics for consideration were set out in the consultation paper, many respondents chose to combine their response to these with comments on other issues highlighted in the Phase 3 report which had been published simultaneously. This required a systematic approach to collate and order all responses in an orderly fashion for analysis. A comprehensive electronic framework for identifying and recording relevant comments from respondents was developed and a number of ground-rules established to ensure responses were prepared for analysis in a consistent and sensible fashion.
ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK
An electronic Excel database was used to store and assist analysis of the responses. This database enables the storage of either free text or numerical data in a systematic manner whilst providing the flexibility for framework amendments should these be required as the work progresses.
The fields used to record the material were based largely on the topics set out in the consultation paper. Once responses had been examined, a small number of additional fields were added to accommodate the further themes which arose. The result was a comprehensive list of fields which formed the headings for the consultation database of responses.
GROUND-RULES
Quantitative Material
Although much of the analysis was based on descriptive free text, a limited amount of scope for quantitative analysis did exist and was exploited. Generally, this involved approximate counts of the numbers of respondents who commented on particular topics and, within these groups, the numbers of respondents holding particular views. However, because of the open nature of the consultation, which did not require people to provide a response on
every issue, the approach of many consultees in providing more general comments rather than responding to each question posed, and the way that respondents could "opt in" to their chosen response topics,
any quantification should be regarded as indicative rather than absolute. In addition, it should be noted that
any statistics quoted here cannot be extrapolated to a wider population outwith the consultation population.
Factual Accuracy
The views presented in this analysis have not been vetted in any way for factual accuracy. The opinions and comments submitted to the consultation may be based on fact or may, indeed, be based on what respondents perceive to be accurate from their perspective, but which others may interpret differently. It is important for the analysis to represent views from all perspectives. The report may, therefore, contain analysis of responses which may be factually inaccurate, but are objective in terms of their reflection of strongly held perceptions.
The following 3 Chapters document the substance of the analysis, presenting the main issues, arguments and other comments contained in the responses. These follow broadly the ordering of issues raised in the consultation paper.
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