Dependent upon survey style, Warwick use one of two well known software packages to process data  from a survey, and to form the basis for the reported results.   Village Appraisal was written specifically for small local authority surveys by the Country and Community Research Unit of the University of Gloucester; and Snap is a versatile and flexible market research package.

Completed questionnaires would normally be received at our office, either by post directly from respondents, or by collection in batches from the sponsoring committee or local authority.  Survey forms are numbered and batched for control purposes. A survey database is set up and the data entered. A report of results is produced in tabular and/or graphical format, which is available for review, and possible amendment, by the ‘steering committee’.

Commentary

A text commentary can be provided which reviews Survey Results, and   highlights any significant aspects for the Steering Committee.

Survey Design

Warwick have also, under the leadership of the Steering Committee, drafted the Parish Plan itself; together with the summary of recommendations, and an Action Plan resulting from these. 

(This obviously requires a greater involvement by Warwick with members of a Steering Committee in order to understand the local issues and the desired outcomes which it has been decided should be included in the Plan.)

Our delivery time for the draft report is normally between four and six weeks from the receipt of the survey forms; depending on the size of the survey.

The cost for processing a basic survey is about 2p. per question; and there would normally be a lump sum charge to set up the survey in the software, and to formulate and print the reports, of between £150 and £500.

The inclusion of significant free text answered questions, whilst frequently providing valuable supplementary and back-ground information and opinion, can increase the cost of processing the survey materially. About half of the surveys we see do include such questions.

Warwick have produced large format – A3 – mounted prints of certain results which are shown graphically for use at Open-Days within the local community.