Framing a Minimum Income Guarantee
On behalf of the independent Minimum Income Guarantee Expert Group, Progressive Partnership conducted market research in order to test levels of support for a Minimum Income Guarantee and to support future communication and framing around it.
Qualitative research method and sample
Research method
One-to-one in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 members of the general public. This method was chosen to afford each individual participant a decent amount of time to discuss the topics and consider potential frames for the Minimum Income Guarantee, and for moderators to probe the issues with them in depth.
Respondents were recruited by Progressive’s professional recruiters, using their local knowledge and existing contacts. A recruitment questionnaire was used to ensure the final sample met the specification and a broad mix of respondents were included in the research.
Interviews were conducted via online videoconferencing, enabling respondents to take part from home, and meaning the sample could cover a wide geographical area across Scotland. Moderators used a topic guide to ensure all objectives were covered in the discussions. Stimulus materials were used in the research, in the form of descriptions of the proposed frames and benefits of a Minimum Income Guarantee which were presented on-screen to respondents, to prompt discussion and gain feedback on the proposed options.
Interviews lasted an average of around 50-60 minutes. As is standard practice in research of this nature, respondents received an incentive of £40 to thank them for their time.
Sample profile
The sample was designed to include a mix of respondents in terms of age, gender and socio-economic group, and to ensure representation from groups of particular interest including minority ethnic groups, those with health issues/disabilities, those with no educational qualifications, priority families[14], rural/island communities, unpaid carers and care leavers, where possible. The sample profile is outlined in the tables overleaf.
| Age | No. | Socio-economic group[15] | No. | Gender | No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 4 | AB | 5 | Male | 9 |
| 25-44 | 7 | C1 | 3 | ||
| 45-64 | 7 | C2 | 5 | Female | 15 |
| 65+ | 6 | DE | 11 |
| Sub-groups[16] | No. |
|---|---|
| Minority ethnic groups | 3 |
| Health issues/disabilities | 11 |
| No educational qualifications | 4 |
| Rural/island communities | 2 |
| Unpaid carers | 10 |
| Care leavers/care experienced | 2 |
| Priority families[17] | 6 |
Limitations
Please note that qualitative research does not provide statistically robust data, due to the sample sizes involved and the methods of respondent selection. This means that results cannot be applied to, or described as being representative of, the general population. However, this phase of research provided valuable insight into the key perceptions and initial responses to the Minimum Income Guarantee framing options, which was followed by more robust testing in the quantitative survey.
Contact
Email: MIGSecretariat@gov.scot