Coronavirus (COVID-19) and society: what matters to people in Scotland?
Findings from an open free text survey taken to understand in greater detail how the pandemic has changed Scotland.
Annex B - Method
This study used an open free-text question format. It was opt-in and directed towards people who may have heightened concerns. An Easy Read version of the questionnaire was also provided.
Responses were downloaded and analysed thematically by Scottish Government researchers. This involved a team of 4 researchers, reading and rereading the responses to become familiar with the data and identify patterns and initial codes. Preliminary themes were then identified, reviewed and then finalised. Excerpts from different respondents were used to illustrate these themes.
The use of an open text format gave respondents the opportunity to freely describe their views at this point of the pandemic. The questions were not grounded in pre-determined research assumptions and so it gave an open space to respondents to give their thoughts and opinions. This use of open questions enabled respondents to provide information in as much depth as they wished; this had the benefit of providing rich, detailed accounts.
There are limitations to the use of an online survey. Firstly, it inherently excludes those who do not have internet access. The sample for this research was also self-selected, and is not representative of the wider Scottish population. The sampling resulted in a high representation of responses from females and individuals aged over 35 years. Also, it is likely that there was greater representation from people who held strong views on the subject area. This report nevertheless provides useful and timely information, as long as appropriate caveats are applied.
Sample characteristics
Table 7 presents a more detailed breakdown of the sample including the number and percentage who identified with different demographic characteristics.
| Demographic | Base | Response | Number | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | 3142 | Male | 755 | 24.0% |
| Female | 2215 | 70.0% | ||
| Non-binary | 21 | 0.7% | ||
| Not listed | 8 | 0.25% | ||
| Prefer not to say | 143 | 4.5% | ||
| Age | 3130 | 1-24 | 72 | 2.3% |
| 25-34 | 264 | 8.4% | ||
| 35-44 | 703 | 22.2% | ||
| 45-54 | 924 | 29.2% | ||
| 55-64 | 776 | 24.6% | ||
| 65-69 | 241 | 7.6% | ||
| 70+ | 150 | 4.8% | ||
| Not answered | 31 | 1.0% | ||
| Long-standing illness | 3142 | No | 2142 | 67.2% |
| Yes | 818 | 25.9% | ||
| Prefer not to say | 200 | 6.3% | ||
| Not answered | 19 | 0.6% | ||
| Does the illness limit your activities | 1520 | Yes | 475 | 15.0% |
| No | 842 | 26.6% | ||
| Prefer not to say | 203 | 6.4% | ||
| Ethnic group | 3147 | White (Scottish, British, Irish) | 2858 | 90.4% |
| White other | 63 | 2.0% | ||
| White Minorities (polish/gypsy traveller ) | 10 | 0.3% | ||
| Mixed or multiple ethnic group | 19 | 0.6% | ||
| Asian, Asian Scottish, Asian British | 4 | 0.1% | ||
| Asian other | 1 | 0.0% | ||
| Pakistani, Pakistani Scottish or Pakistani British | 2 | 0.1% | ||
| Chinese, Chinese Scottish, Chinese British | 2 | 0.1% | ||
| Caribbean Scottish or British | 1 | 0.0% | ||
| Caribbean or Black | 2 | 0.1% | ||
| Indian, Indian Scottish or Indian British | 5 | 0.2% | ||
| African, African Scottish or African British | 4 | 0.1% | ||
| Arab, Arab Scottish, Arab British | 2 | 0.1% | ||
| Other ethnic group | 7 | 0.2% | ||
| Prefer not to say | 167 | 5.2% | ||
| Not answered | 14 | 0.4% | ||
| Carer | 3128 | Yes | 709 | 22.4% |
| No | 2241 | 70.9% | ||
| Employment | 3147 | Full-time | 1457 | 46.1% |
| Part-time | 447 | 14.1% | ||
| Self-employed | 270 | 8.5% | ||
| Retired | 481 | 15.2% | ||
| Unemployed seeking work | 18 | 0.6% | ||
| Unemployed not seeking | 20 | 0.6% | ||
| Studying | 74 | 2.3% | ||
| Not working due to illness/disability | 108 | 3.4% | ||
| Other | 45 | 1.4% | ||
| Prefer not to say | 145 | 4.6% | ||
| Not answered | 14 | 0.4% | ||
| Financial situation | 3149 | Managing very well | 466 | 14.7% |
| Managing quite well | 793 | 25.1% | ||
| Alright | 1151 | 36.4% | ||
| Not managing very well | 222 | 7.0% | ||
| Some financial difficulties | 215 | 6.8% | ||
| Deep financial trouble | 66 | 2.1% | ||
| Don't know | 8 | 0.3% | ||
| Prefer not to say | 228 | 7.2% | ||
| Not answered | 12 | 0.4% |
Contact
Email: covid-19.behaviours@gov.scot
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