Scottish Employer Perspectives Survey 2019: technical report

Using the data

Statistical accuracy of survey data

The table below shows sampling error for the survey results overall and for key sub-groups by which analysis is presented in the report. Figures have been based on a survey result of 50% (the 'worst' case in terms of statistical reliability), and have used a 95% confidence level. Where the table indicates that a survey result based on all respondents has a sampling error of +/- 0.7%, this should be interpreted as follows: 'for a question asked of all respondents in this group where the survey result is 50%, we are 95% confident that the true figure lies within the range 49.3% to 50.7%'.

The calculation of sampling error has taken into account the finite population correction factor to account for cases where we are measuring a significant portion of the population universe (i.e. even if two sample sizes are the same, the sampling error will be lower if in one case a far higher proportion of the population was covered).

Table 8: Sampling error (at a 95% confidence level) associated with findings of 50%, by size and sector

Explaining variation between sub-groups in the report

Table 8 highlights the number of interviews achieved across the entire sample. However, a number of measures captured in the survey are based only on a subsection of the survey. For instances, questions regarding the provision of external training are only asked of those establishments who made use of external training providers to train their staff (2,167 unweighted establishments). Table 9 presents common base sizes across the survey, split by size band. Lower numbers of interviews achieved serve to increase the maximum sampling error as shown in Table 8.

Table 9: Interviews achieved across key measures and by size band

Using the data at a regional level

Table 10 shows the number of interviews achieved across each region, and the associated sampling error.

Table 10: Sampling error (at a 95% confidence level) associated with findings of 50%, by region