Scottish Government Long Term Survey Strategy (LTSS) – Summary Version

2. Strategic Pillars

The following priorities outline the key areas of focus that will guide delivery of the strategy over the coming years.

Pillar 1 – Survey Rationalisation (Focus on Purpose)

• Identify where administrative data can replace survey-collected variables, reducing burden and improving accuracy.
• Establish where only surveys can fill evidence gaps – particularly attitudes, behaviours, lived experience and equality analysis.
• Strengthen oversight and control of question inclusion, ensuring each question serves a clear user need.
• Review the Scottish Surveys Core Questions (SSCQ) to ensure relevance, efficiency and improved use.

Pillar 2 – User-Centred Design & User Engagement (Trusted and Valued Surveys)

• Embed Respondent-Centred Design (RCD) principles to ensure surveys are accessible, inclusive and clearer for respondents.
• Improve dissemination through engaging narratives, visualisations and accessible outputs.
• Engage policy users early to align survey content with priority evidence needs.
• Review user needs for SSCQ to improve relevance and analytical value.

Pillar 3 – Modernisation & Future-Proofing (Fit Now, Fit for the Future)

• Explore adoption of mixed-mode approaches, integrating online, telephone or hybrid methods alongside face-to-face interviewing.
• Address nonresponse through insight, behavioural research and targeted interventions.
• Review and strengthen methodological approaches and analytical capability across survey teams.
• Use evaluation and innovation reports from survey contractors to drive continuous improvement.

Pillar 4 – Integrated Data Approach (Chase the Value)

• Use administrative and census data to validate and enhance survey results.
• Strengthen data-sharing capability and ensure legal, ethical integration of admin data.
• Explore opportunities for a shared digital collection infrastructure, learning from Census 2022 and wider UK work.