Alkaline Hydrolysis (water cremation) regulation: consultation analysis report

4. Analysis and Reporting

This report presents both quantitative and qualitative findings. Quantitative data were obtained from closed survey-style questions where respondents could select from predetermined choices (e.g. ‘yes/no’, ‘agree/disagree’). These data are presented in tables and charts to show the number of respondents selecting each possible answer.

Qualitative data were gathered from comments that respondents gave in response to open questions (where respondents were given free text boxes in which to respond). Unlike quantitative data, qualitative data allows for insights and understanding to be gained by looking at the detail of respondents’ answers, and is presented as descriptive text and verbatim quotes from respondents.

Data from responses received by email were entered manually onto the Consultation Hub (Citizen Space) and the accuracy of 20% of these was checked by a second analyst. All responses were downloaded from the Consultation Hub into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Data were analysed on a question by question basis except where questions linked to each other, for example when respondents were asked to give reasons for a selection in a previous question.

An analysis of responses to the consultation’s closed questions was conducted. The frequency of responses to closed questions, and distribution of these responses based on respondent employment/organisation type, are reported in tables and stacked bar charts. The number of respondents answering each question is reported. Where percentages are given these are rounded to the nearest whole number and represent a percentage of the total respondents answering the specific question rather than total respondents taking part in the consultation.

A thematic analysis of open questions (i.e. free text comments) was conducted. Qualitative data from these responses were read in detail, patterns identified, text coded and themes constructed from these codes in order to summarise the key points made by respondents and the range of views expressed both within each question and across the consultation. A descriptive analysis of responses to closed questions was conducted. The frequency of responses to closed questions, and distribution of these dependent on respondent employment/organisation type, are reported in tables and stacked bar charts.