APPENDIX A THE FOCUS GROUPS 1. FOCUS GROUPS: CONDUCT The focus groups are intended to obtain independent input on the set of factors including the public understanding of their definition and the suitability of the levels set for each factor. Are the levels different enough to be distinguishable and do they cover an appropriate range? A decision was made early on to double the number of focus groups from one to two, as this would allow a wider range of perceptions to be obtained and offer the opportunity to identify areas of agreement between as well as within groups. Recruitment was from University of Leeds staff; a convenient sample was necessary given the extremely short project time frame. Particular care was made to ensure that a wide range of socio economic groups were represented and that any academic bias was kept to a minimum. In order to achieve this, an email recruitment campaign was undertaken that targeted a wide range of staff groups across the campus. Among the groups targeted were: Academic and administrative staff across various schools of the University; Staff at the University nursery, mailing office, media services and sports centre. Interested participants were asked to provide details about their age and economic status (employed or student) so that a good mix of participants could be gathered to ensure a wide range of views. The makeup of the two focus groups is outlined in Table A1. In return for giving up their time to take part in the focus group discussion participants were offered a financial incentive of £30. Both focus groups took place on Thursday, 13 th January in the Board Room of the Institute for Transport Studies. The timings of the focus groups (12 noon and 5.30pm) were set so as to allow people the opportunity to attend without adversely affecting their working day. Each focus group was scheduled to last 1.5 hours. In the event both ran to time. The focus groups were structured into 3 phases. The first ice breaking phase saw an around the table discussion about what were the best and worst aspects of the participants‟ local environment. The next phase contained specific discussion of the 12 local environment factors. This involved asking respondents what they thought about a number of images and descriptions which might be used to illustrate the local environmental factors in the survey questionnaire. The final phase asked the respondents‟ to complete two ratings exercises with regards to „how important‟ they thought the 12 specific local environmental factors were, in the context of their local neighbourhood; and then to rate how satisfied they were with their current level of factors, again in relation to their local neighbourhood.
49
Embed
APPENDIX A THE FOCUS GROUPS 1. FOCUS GROUPS: CONDUCTrandd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=9855_LEQAppendices… · for Transport Studies. The timings of the focus groups (12 noon
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
APPENDIX A THE FOCUS GROUPS
1. FOCUS GROUPS: CONDUCT
The focus groups are intended to obtain independent input on the set of factors including the
public understanding of their definition and the suitability of the levels set for each factor. Are
the levels different enough to be distinguishable and do they cover an appropriate range? A
decision was made early on to double the number of focus groups from one to two, as this
would allow a wider range of perceptions to be obtained and offer the opportunity to identify
areas of agreement between as well as within groups.
Recruitment was from University of Leeds staff; a convenient sample was necessary given
the extremely short project time frame. Particular care was made to ensure that a wide
range of socio economic groups were represented and that any academic bias was kept to a
minimum. In order to achieve this, an email recruitment campaign was undertaken that
targeted a wide range of staff groups across the campus. Among the groups targeted were:
Academic and administrative staff across various schools of the University;
Staff at the University nursery, mailing office, media services and sports centre.
Interested participants were asked to provide details about their age and economic status
(employed or student) so that a good mix of participants could be gathered to ensure a wide
range of views. The makeup of the two focus groups is outlined in Table A1. In return for
giving up their time to take part in the focus group discussion participants were offered a
financial incentive of £30.
Both focus groups took place on Thursday, 13th January in the Board Room of the Institute
for Transport Studies. The timings of the focus groups (12 noon and 5.30pm) were set so as
to allow people the opportunity to attend without adversely affecting their working day. Each
focus group was scheduled to last 1.5 hours. In the event both ran to time.
The focus groups were structured into 3 phases. The first ice breaking phase saw an
around the table discussion about what were the best and worst aspects of the participants‟
local environment. The next phase contained specific discussion of the 12 local environment
factors. This involved asking respondents what they thought about a number of images and
descriptions which might be used to illustrate the local environmental factors in the survey
questionnaire. The final phase asked the respondents‟ to complete two ratings exercises
with regards to „how important‟ they thought the 12 specific local environmental factors were,
in the context of their local neighbourhood; and then to rate how satisfied they were with
their current level of factors, again in relation to their local neighbourhood.
Table A1 Composition of Focus Groups
Gender Economic Status Occupation Age
Male Employed Sports Administrator <35
Male Employed Environmental Officer >35
Female Employed Nursery assistant >35
Female Employed Nursery assistant >35
Male Retired Retired >35
Female Employed Student Advisor <35
Female Employed Marketing Manager <35
Male Employed IT Project Manager >35
Gender Employed Occupation Age
Female Employed Portfolio Manager >35
Male Employed Office support >35
Male Employed Personal Trainer <35
Female Employed Secretary >35
Female Employed Secretary >35
Male Employed Sports Administrator <35
Female Student PHD Student <35
Female Student PHD Student <35
2. FOCUS GROUPS: FINDINGS
2.1 Ice breaker
The “ice breaker” round the table discussion of the best and worst things about your local
environment drew forth the following examples:
Best Thing
Quiet featured strongly with the majority stating they felt their area was quiet
compared to the surrounding roads, i.e. „an oasis of quiet‟, „it‟s quite secluded‟.
Close to the countryside was another factor to come out strongly, i.e. „we are only 10
mins driver from open country‟, „I can be in the countryside within 5 mins‟, „the
countryside is on my doorstep‟.
Proximity or outlook to other features was mentioned, i.e. Parks, allotments, canals,
tree lined streets, living in a cul–de-sac.
At the same time having good access to the city centres or neighbourhood facilities
was another strong point, i.e. „I am only 15 bus rides from Leeds city centre‟, „I can
walk into Leeds city centre in 20 mins‟.
One person liked the busy urban environment they lived in, i.e. „there is lots to do,
plenty of bars etc…).
Another person liked the rural environment, i.e. „I was brought up on a farm and I
want to give my kids a similar experience‟.
Worst Thing
Transport and poor facilities for pedestrians/cyclists featured heavily in this
discussion, i.e. Too much traffic, pavements in poor condition, wheelie bins and poor
parking obstructing pedestrians progress along the pavement, roads poor for cycling
and not safe for cycling.
Litter and noise also prominent, i.e. „litter is appalling, despite the area being
plastered with £75 litter signs which don‟t get enforced‟. I can‟t sit outside in a coffee
bar and enjoy my drink because of the noise‟, „drinkers make a noise when walking
back from the pub‟.
Rubbish was mentioned several times. This problem seemed to be a combination of
seeing the street lined with wheelie bins – „it just makes the whole area look grim‟ –
and is then exacerbated by some bins being overflowing with rubbish, or extra bags
piled up beside them.
A couple of participants mentioned anti-social behaviour.
Another focused on there not being enough light in his area, caused because of the
numerous streets of terrace housing that don‟t let enough natural light in.
Another person found narrow streets and too many cars parked on them difficult to
drive around.
Someone thought the noise from overflying planes was particularly bad in the
summer when sat outside or gardening.
This was a helpful exercise in getting participants thinking about their local environment and
it clearly indicates that at least to these groups quiet and litter emerge as important issues.
The comments about overflowing rubbish bins (which are not a part of this study) suggests
that it will be important to be very clear in our definitions of litter and fly-tipping such that
there is no confusion with household bin collections.
The groups then moved on to examine the presentation of each indicator at different levels.
The images presented to the focus groups (in the form of a powerpoint presentation) may be
found in Appendix A.
2.2 Litter
Slide 1 Worst Picture of Litter
Whilst litter came across first and obviously – as in „it looks like a Saturday morning‟. There
were other features that participants also commented on:
Poor parking – lots of gaps between the cars – „it‟s a pet hate of mine‟
Poor hygiene
The locals don‟t care about their area.
One participant was not bothered by the litter on the road but was upset by the litter on the
pavement, i.e. „The council will eventually clean up the litter on the road but not on the
We would first of all like to ask you some questions about the area in which you live,
and about what you think the ‘quality of life’ is like in this area.
Q1 Please give the name of the
street where you live, and
postcode
Street Postcode
Q2 About how long have you lived at your current address?
Years
Q3 Thinking about the area where you live – please tell us the three BEST things about living in
your area
1
2
3
Q4 Thinking about the area where you live – please tell us the three WORST things about living
in your area
1
2
3
Q5 Please indicate how much you agree or
disagree with the following statements
using the scale against each statement
please only circle one option for each statement
Strongly
Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree
Strongly
Agree
The effects of climate change are too far in
the future to really worry me 1 2 3 4 5
I don‟t pay much attention to the amount of
water I use at home 1 2 3 4 5
It's not worth me doing things to help the
environment if others don't do the same 1 2 3 4 5
If things continue on their current course, we
will soon experience a major environmental
disaster
1 2 3 4 5
It's only worth doing environmentally-friendly
things if they save you money 1 2 3 4 5
People who fly should bear the cost of the
environmental damage that air travel causes 1 2 3 4 5
It's not worth Britain trying to combat climate
change because other countries will just
cancel out what we do
1 2 3 4 5
I don't really give much thought to saving
energy in my home 1 2 3 4 5
For the sake of the environment, car users
should pay
higher taxes
1 2 3 4 5
The environment is a low priority for me
compared with a lot of other things in my life 1 2 3 4 5
It takes too much effort to do things that are
environmentally friendly 1 2 3 4 5
We are close to the limit of the number of
people the earth can support 1 2 3 4 5
I would be prepared to pay more for
environmentally-friendly products 1 2 3 4 5
Q6 Listed below are various factors which may impact on quality of life. Please indicate how important these are to you and your household? Please circle one number on each line
Importance Extremely
Important
Very
Important
Moderately
Important
Slightly
Important
Not at all
Important
Quality of local schools 1 2 3 4 5
The amount of road traffic in your area 1 2 3 4 5
Road traffic noise experienced at home 1 2 3 4 5
Neighbourhood air quality 1 2 3 4 5
Condition of roads and pavements 1 2 3 4 5
Level of local crime 1 2 3 4 5
Access to quiet areas 1 2 3 4 5
Amount of local council tax 1 2 3 4 5
Level of dog fouling in the area 1 2 3 4 5
Other (Please write in)
1 2 3 4 5
QUALITY OF LIFE WHERE YOU LIVE
Worse Situation Better Situation
Local Crime -
Burglaries per 1000
households
28 22 16 10 4
Local Schools - %
gaining 5 GCSEs
grades A to C
35% 45% 55% 65% 75%
Road Traffic 10% More
Traffic
5% More Traffic As Now 5% Less
Traffic
10% Less
Traffic
Traffic Noise at
Home
Extremely Noisy Very Noisy Moderately
Noisy
Slightly Noisy Not at all
Noisy
Dog Fouling occurs Always dog
mess in view
Every minute
when walking
Every 5 minutes
or so when
walking
Every 15
minutes or so
when walking
Never or very
rarely
General condition
of Pavements
Very Poor Poor Neither Good
nor Poor
Good Very Good
Access to quiet
areas
No quiet areas
around here
Quiet area
within 15
minutes walk of
home
Quiet area
within 10
minutes walk of
home
Quiet area
within 5
minutes walk
of home
Quiet area
within a 1
minute walk
of home
Council Tax you
would pay
£12 more
each
month
£5 more
each
month
£1 more
each
month
As Now £1 less
each
month
£5 less
each
month
£12 less
each
month
Follow the instructions as given by the survey team. If you have any queries, please ask –
we will come and help you.
Section 2
We would now like you to consider various quality of life issues. Look at the chart
below which is about your local area - please do not write anything until you are
asked to do so.You will need a YELLOW highlighter pen.
Q3 For each image please rate the
presence of TREES shown
Please circle one number on each line
Very Very
Bad Neither Good
Picture 8 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 11 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Section 3
We would now like you to consider some photographs AND verbal descriptions that
present a range of local environmental factors. For each factor we present different
conditions and we would like you to tell us how good or bad each is – IF YOU WERE
TO EXPERIENCE IT IN YOUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.
Please see the booklet provided for larger versions of the pictures.
You should rate these on a scale from very bad (0) to very good (10).
Q1 For each image please rate the
level of DISCARDED CHEWING GUM
shown
Please circle one number on each line
Very Very
Bad Neither Good
Picture 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 3 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Q2 For each image please rate the
level of LITTER shown
Please circle one number on each line
Very Very
Bad Neither Good
Picture 4 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 6 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Q4 For each image please rate the
level of FLY-TIPPING shown
Please circle one number on each line
Very Very
Bad Neither Good
Picture 12 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 13 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 14 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 15 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Q5 For each image please rate the
level of GRAFFITI shown
Please circle one number on each line
Very Very
Bad Neither Good
Picture 16 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 17 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 18 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 19 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 20 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Q6 For each image please rate the
level of FLY-POSTING shown
Please circle one number on each line
Very Very
Bad Neither Good
Picture 21 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 22 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 23 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 24 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Picture 25 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Verbal Descriptions
Q7 Please rate access to QUIET
AREAS as described below
Please circle one number on each line
Very Very
Bad Neither Good
No quiet areas around here 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Quiet area within 15 minutes walk of home 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Quiet area within 10 minutes walk of home 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Quiet area within 5 minutes walk of home 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Quiet area within a 1 minute walk of home 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Q8 Please rate the levels of DOG
FOULING occurrence described below
Please circle one number on each line
Very Very
Bad Neither Good
Always dog mess in view 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Every minute when walking 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Every 5 minutes or so when walking 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Every 15 minutes or so when walking 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Never or very rarely 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Q9 Please rate the levels of ODOUR as
described below
Please circle one number on each line
Very Very
Bad Neither Good
Bad smells all the time 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Bad smells occur weekly 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Bad smells occur every month or so 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Bad smells occur once or twice a year 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
No bad smells 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Q10 Please rate the level of LIGHT
INTRUSION at night described below
Please circle one number on each line
Very Very
Bad Neither Good
Light intrusion that affects my sleep or that
of someone else in my household 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Light intrusion that I can‟t block out with
heavy curtains but doesn‟t affect my sleep 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Light intrusion into my home that I can
block out with heavy curtains 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
No light intrusion from any source 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Q11 Please rate the level of LIGHT
POLLUTION at night described below
Please circle one number on each line
Very Very
Bad Neither Good
On a clear night I can‟t see any stars 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
On a clear night I can see some stars 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
On a clear night I can see many stars 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Q12 Did you find the photographs and descriptions of the local environmental factors to be clear? Please circle one number on each line
Clarity of Presentation Very
Clear
Quite
Clear
Neither Clear
Nor Unclear
Quite
Unclear
Very
Unclear
Litter 1 2 3 4 5
Graffiti 1 2 3 4 5
Fly-posting 1 2 3 4 5
Dog fouling 1 2 3 4 5
Quiet areas 1 2 3 4 5
Trees 1 2 3 4 5
Light intrusion 1 2 3 4 5
Light pollution 1 2 3 4 5
Odour 1 2 3 4 5
Fly-tipping 1 2 3 4 5
Discarded chewing gum 1 2 3 4 5
Q13 Please indicate how important each of the following is to you in your local area? Please circle one number on each line
Importance Extremely
Important
Very
Important
Moderately
Important
Slightly
Important
Not at all
Important
Litter 1 2 3 4 5
Graffiti 1 2 3 4 5
Fly-posting 1 2 3 4 5
Dog fouling 1 2 3 4 5
Discarded chewing gum 1 2 3 4 5
Fly-tipping 1 2 3 4 5
Presence of trees 1 2 3 4 5
Access to quiet areas 1 2 3 4 5
Odour 1 2 3 4 5
Light intrusion 1 2 3 4 5
Light pollution 1 2 3 4 5
Section 4 – Appeared as an A3 sized sheet - See Appendix D
Section 4 Follow Up Questions
Q1 When completing the table in section 4 please tell us what you thought of
the proposed changes to Council Tax
(please circle the number of the statement that is closest to your thinking)
I considered both increases and reductions in Council Tax to be equally likely 1
I did not believe that reductions in Council Tax would happen and so did not
consider them in my answers 2
I focussed on the environmental factors and didn‟t really take the changes in Council
Tax seriously 3
I paid more attention to increases in Council Tax than reductions 4
Q2 If you did not fully complete the table in section 4 please tell us why this
was:
(please circle one number)
I ran out of time 1
The remaining choices were not at all important to me 2
I found it too difficult 3
Section 5 About You and Your Household
Q1 In which age group are you? Please tick one box
18-24 25-29 30-44 45-59 60-64 65-74 75 and
over
Q2 Are you…..
Please tick one box
male female
Q3 How many children aged 5 or less are in your household? Please tick one box
None
One Two Three Four or more
Q4 How many children aged 6 to 16 are in your household? Please tick one box
None
One Two Three Four or more
Q5 How many people in total (including yourself) are in your household? Please tick one box
One Two Three Four Five Six 7 or more
Q6 Do you belong to any environmental organisations?
Please tick one box Yes No
Q7 Which of these best
describes your home?
Please tick one box
Flat/Apartment
Terraced house
Semi detached house
Detached house
Other
Q8 Does your home have: A garden
Please tick the boxes that apply to
you.
A back yard
Access to shared green space
No outside space
Q9a Are there any pets in your household?
Tick one box Yes No
Q9b If yes please tell us how many Pet
(please tick applicable
categories)
Number
(please record the
number)
Dogs
Cats
Other
Q10 About how much does your household pay each month in Council Tax? Tick one box
Under £80
£80 to £99.99
£100 to £124.99 £125 to £149.99
£150 to £174.99 £175 to £199.99 £200 or over Don‟t know/paid for me