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Appendix 3 Stage 2 topic guide
Topic guide
Scottish Executive - Ethnic Identity
Data Users
Aims of the project - Overall aim: To inform the development
of a classification of ethnic identity
which would be acceptable to individuals,
whilst providing data users with an
approach that meets their needs
- Examine the need for information on
ethnic identity among data users
- Establish the different ways in which
data is collected and used
- Examine the adequacy of current methods
of classification, the need to change and
the implications of changing these
- Explore the uses of single versus
multiple questions on ethnicity
- Explore other ways of classifying data
on ethnicity
- Examine ideas for consultation
approaches about ethnic identity
classification frameworks in the
future
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1. INTRODUCTION
- About
BMRB
- About the research
- Commissioned by the Scottish Executive to examine
issues relating to ethnic identity and how people see
themselves
- Two parts - asking data providers how they would
like to be classified, while asking data users what
their needs are in terms of producing usable data
- Aim is to develop classification that both data
providers and users are happy with
- Length of interview - 60 minutes
- Confidentiality
- Tape Recording - tapes not available to the
Scottish Executive but only to the research team
(Note: please record instances where the respondent
has difficulty answering the question, finds it
difficult to provide precise information or is
reluctant to disclose information.)
2. GENERAL BACKGROUND
- Their organisation
- Length of time they have been working there
- Their role - what responsibilities
- Responsibilities as regards data (briefly)
- Different communities served by the
organisation
3. USE MADE OF DATA
- How is data on ethnicity currently collected
- Who is responsible for it
- Method of classification
- Ways in which they use data on ethnicity
- What do they use it for
- Who uses it
- Who sees the data
- Reasons for collecting data on ethnicity
- Probe: collect to comply, collect
for specific need (probe whether organisational or
general), collect in case needed in future, other
reasons
4. CURRENT CLASSIFICATIONS
- Classifications they use (can they show us)
- How were these developed (
e.g. by the organisation,
CRE/Census classification)
- (If developed by the organisation)
Can they tell us about the process they used for
developing their classifications
- Extent to which these
classifications have changed during their experience,
reasons for these changes
- What do they believe the strengths of this
classification are
- What do they believe the weaknesses of this
classification are
- What difference does collecting data
in this way make to them
- What are their experiences of the "other"
category
- Who do they find comes under this
category
- Extent to which this data is
analysed
- Extent to which this data is used
(purpose)
- Can they think of any ways in which their current
classification could be improved
- (If they can) Reasons why they have
not implemented these improvements
- What do their data providers think about these
classifications
5. STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF DIFFERENT
CLASSIFICATIONS
- Show different methods of classification (including
the current Census classification)
- For each method:
- What are the strengths of collecting
data like this
- What are the weaknesses of
collecting data like this
- How would it affect their
organisation if it were to become compulsory to collect
data
like this (as opposed to changing at
all)
- Changes they would make
6. IDEAL METHOD OF CLASSIFYING DATA
PROVIDERS
- If they were designing their ideal method of
classification, what would it be (give respondent a
blank sheet of paper and pen and get them to talk
through each category, why they have chosen to
categorise in this way.
- Explore inconsistencies,
e.g. geographical - "Asian" - categories
vs. colour-based - "Black" - categories)
- Attitude to single vs. multiple
questions on ethnicity.
- Impact on their organisation of collecting data in
this way
- Impact on data providers of collecting data in this
way
7. VIEWS ON CHANGE
- Views on need for change - extent to which they
feel it is necessary
- What are the implications of changing their methods
of collecting data on ethnicity
- Probe on:
- Cost
- Staff time/attitude
- Consistency of records/data
- Comparability of records/data
- Usability of data for their purposes
(
i.e. would it make the data more/less
usable, would it allow them to group people into
meaningful groups)
- Likely attitude of data
users/providers to change (
at all, rather than to a specific
method of categorisation)
8. CONSULTATION PROCESS
- Show leaflet
- Were they aware that a consultation
process was underway
- What do they think about the fact
that there is a consultation process underway
- Views on approach
- How would they suggest people are
asked about their ethnic identity
9. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS /
QUESTIONS FOR THE RESEARCHER
THANK AND CLOSE
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