Survey analysis

The sample profile above represents the true breakdown of respondents, however, the following analysis of the Resident, Visitor and Counterfactual surveys are based on weighted data. Data for these three surveys was weighted by age profiles to the National Records of Scotland Mid-2020 Population Estimates. For the Resident and Counterfactual survey, age data was weighted to the corresponding population data for the Scottish Borders, while the Visitor survey weighted the data against the average for the relevant ‘in scope’ local authority areas (i.e. the Scottish Borders, Edinburgh and the Lothians). Business survey data was not subject to weighting.

The analysis in the following chapters largely consists of descriptive frequencies. While more detailed disaggregate analysis was considered, the sample sizes both by questionnaire type and at individual questions was generally too low for this to provide reliable and robust results. Qualitative data was also read to identify the key themes and issues. Quotes have been included where relevant to illustrate the main points raised.