Government, Politics and Civic Participation
Ensuring citizens are encouraged to participate in designing public services, as well as in the political process, has been a key agenda for governments over many years. While the UK Government’s aspiration for a ‘Big Society’ continues to develop, the Scottish Government has a key national outcome to ensure that all public services are ‘responsive to local people’s needs.’
Ipsos MORI’s regular work across these issues makes us the principal source of research information on social and political life in Scotland. Our quarterly Scottish Public Opinion Monitor provides analysis on the major social, political and economic issues of the day, allowing policy makers and commentators to understand the mood of the Scottish public both at the time and historically.
Our expertise in these issues goes beyond our regular opinion monitor and encompasses a wide range of research methods, both quantitative and qualitative. We have also worked for a range of clients, helping answering a variety of questions about politics and participation, such as:
- What are the public’s priorities for how the Scottish Government can save money in the current financial climate, either through cutting public services or increasing taxation?
- Why do so few people in Scotland use the Scottish Parliament’s public petitions system and what can be done to encourage greater participation?
- What are the priorities of social housing tenants across Scotland and what can they do to ensure their landlords deliver their priorities?
- How can Muslims in Scotland be better integrated into Scottish life?
Below is a selection of our recent research across issues of politics and civic participation. For more information contact Mark Diffley
Current Projects
2011 MSPs Survey
Annual survey of Members of the Scottish Parliament.
The survey, which comprises hour-long face-to-face interviews with over 70 MSPs, covers a wide range of topics on behalf of a number of participating companies and organisations. The survey explores views of the Scottish economy; readership; MSPs' relations with, and criteria for judging, companies and organisations; and views of specific organisations.
Interviews will be conducted between September and October, with reporting in late 2011.
For more information about the survey see our MSPs Survey homepage
Ipsos MORI contact: Robert Cumming