CR/2020/06 - Provision of National Island Plan Survey

Tender description

Scottish Government wishes to commission a research project comprising the design and completion of a survey of 1500-2000 people living on Scotland’s islands. The survey will explore perceptions of change, improvement or deterioration to island life, in relation to the twelve objectives set out in the Scottish Government’s National Islands Plan. The specification sets out the aims of the work, and the tasks required of the contractor. It also sets out the management arrangements and timescales. To monitor the impact and effectiveness of the National Islands Plan, we need measurable and consistently collected data. The perceptions of island communities will give us an indication of whether outcomes for island communities are changing and to what degree. The main research questions that need to be addressed are: - How is population decline affecting island communities? - What opportunities are there for sustainable economic development on Scotland’s islands? - Are transport services meeting the needs of island communities? - Are there a range of housing types and tenures to suit all island residents? - How are island communities experiencing fuel poverty? - Are island communities digitally connected and skilled? - Are the health, wellbeing and social care needs of island communities being met? - How are the behaviours of island residents changing to protect the environment and biodiversity? - How are island communities experiencing climate change? - Do island residents feel empowered to have their say on the decisions that affect them and their communities? - How are arts, culture and language supported and promoted in island communities? - Are there educational opportunities for all islands residents? These questions will be addressed using a quantitative survey. We have formulated a list of performance indicators from the objectives outlined in the National Islands Plan (see Appendix 1). The contractor should use these performance indicators to develop and test a set of questions and design, as well as subsequently deliver, a survey of a representative sample of island residents. The contractor is to survey a representative sample of around 1500-2000 adults. This should include residents on all inhabited islands, including Na h-Eileanan Siar, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands and islands situated within the local authorities of Argyll and Bute, Highland and North Ayrshire. The contractor should set out their proposed sample and must explain their decision. The contractor is expected to design the recruitment process in a way that the sample contains people from different age groups and genders. The contractor will also be expected to identify any specific groups for inclusion, such as those with protected characteristics. It is important, therefore, that the contractor has sufficient knowledge of island populations, including familiarity with the National Islands Plan. The contractor will, ideally, have experience of conducting similar research and/or engagement with island communities. The principle stages of the project will be: - Development of potential questions; - Cognitive testing to ensure that questions are correctly understood and answered; - A quantitative survey of island communities. The contractor may suggest whether they would prefer to carry this out via telephone, post, or online, but must explain their decision; - Reporting of findings. Interim reports will be expected for each stage of the research project and should be taken into account when creating the project timetable. The first draft of the final report is expected in December 2020. The contractor will also be expected to provide fortnightly updates with the contract manager. A full timetable and breakdown of payment milestones can be found in Section 8.