This snapshot, taken on 05/09/2007, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.
Last Updated: 19/1/2007
4. Give feedback regarding the responses received and how the consultation process influenced the policy.
4.1 Responses should be carefully and open-mindedly analysed. Do not simply count votes when analysing responses …. In order to ensure that responses are analysed correctly, it is important to understand whom different bodies represent, and the methodology used to gain members' input into the response.
Criterion 4, Code of Practice on consultation, p.9
Analysing responses is one of the most important parts of the consultation process. All thought and work that has previously gone into planning your consultation, facilitating informal consultation, and producing and publicising a written document will be wasted if you do not implement an effective mechanism for analysing the responses you receive.
As with all consultation practice, the key to effective analysis is good planning. Start to think about how you will analyse and weight responses when you begin planning the overall consultation process.
If you have set clear objectives at the beginning of the consultation process and have approached it in an open, transparent way, analysing your responses and producing a comprehensive summary report should not be a problem. Following the steps below should enable you to plan and carry out your analysis effectively, so that you get the most out of your responses.
[Top]