This workshop was arranged with analysts from Edinburgh City Council for staff from Edinburgh City Council.
The following presentations were given by statisticians from Scottish Government:
National Surveys and the Long Term Survey Strategy
Sampling Theory and Methods
Designing a Questionnaire
Understanding Survey Data (This included a demonstration of how to calculate required sample size)
Dissemination, Sharing Data, and Influencing Policy and Delivery
Links to documents referred to during the workshop
Long Term Survey Strategy
Harmonised Survey Questions
Guidance on Statistical Disclosure Control
Guidance on calculating Confidence Intervals
Guidance on Sampling
Feedback
The eighteen people who attended the workshop were asked to rate their agreement to the following statements on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 = Strongly Agree and 5 = Strongly Disagree:
I have an improved/refreshed understanding of different sampling methods and sampling theory. Mean score = 1.5.
I have an improved/refreshed awareness of what makes a good questionnaire and the benefits of using harmonised questions. Mean score = 1.6.
I have an increased knowledge of how to analyse survey data, why confidence intervals are necessary, how to calculate and interpret them. Mean score = 1.8.
I have an improved/refreshed understanding of why we weight and gross-up sample data and how to calculate weighting and grossing factors. Mean score = 1.6.
Comments that people made in the feedback forms included:
"Useful to know the key concepts such as variance, standard deviation and standard error"
"This was a good introduction to surveys"
"Very complex but good examples and well put across"
"Overall, all aspects of the presentations were clearly delivered and explained. Examples were good and easy to follow. Difficult concepts were explained really well. Both presenters were excellent. This was a great opportunity."
"Good on how to calculate weights but less clear on how to use them"
"Having had no previous experience I found some sections heavy going"
"Explanations were clear and easy to understand"