You asked
I would be grateful if you could provide some information regarding the following survey.
https://www.switchboard.org.uk/participants-needed-take-part-research-office-national-statistics/
Please could you explain why a payment is made for people participating in an interview?
What effort has been made to involve random members of the general public in this consultation?
We said
Thank you for your request.
These interviews are part of the development work we undertake to develop all new survey questions. We undertake extensive testing to ensure the questions are fit for purpose, acceptable and will collect high quality, accurate data. In each round of testing, samples are specifically chosen to enable us to address the aims of the research. This test investigated different options to enable people to express their gender identity and therefore focussed on people who identify as trans, non-binary and those with intersex traits. A diverse range of people across that spectrum took part and the views were therefore very varied, even among people who identify with similar characteristics.
The survey questions have also been included in other rounds of testing and views have therefore been gathered across a wide range of people and every effort is made to ensure different members of the public are represented. For example across different age groups, different ethnic backgrounds, varying levels of qualification, household composition etc. We also use a range of different recruitment methods to ensure many different people have the opportunity to take part.
It is usual for people who participate in qualitative research, like these interviews, to be given a token of appreciation for their time. This is usual practise both inside and outside of ONS. The amount offered varies slightly depending on a variety of factors, including the sensitivity of the topic, the length or complexity of the interview etc. Every piece of research contains some source of bias and we cannot completely remove them. Whilst there may be people who take part to get the money there are also people who are inherently interested in the work that we are doing and have a vested interested in the topic. Both views are equally valuable and both carry some bias. As researchers we are aware of these biases and strive to minimise their impact. We endeavour to test with lots of different types of people to design questions that are suitable for everyone.
The 2021 Census topic consultation includes more information on the development of a potential gender identity question which you may find useful.