Glossary S
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Sample / Sampling |
A sample is a group of people selected from a larger group. By studying the sample it is hoped to draw valid conclusions about the larger group. See also Representative Sample |
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Sampling Error |
This is when analysing collected data, the samples observed differ in such things as means and standard deviations from the population from which the sample is taken. It is controlled by ensuring that, as much as possible, the samples taken are a true random sample from all possible samples. If the observations are a true random sample, statistics can then make probability estimates of the sampling error. See also Margin of Error |
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Sampling Frame |
The sampling frame is the list of individuals, households or institutions from which a sample of potential respondents is drawn. In order to make inferences from survey data, the consultor must understand how the sampling frame defines the population represented, as well as which population groups are excluded. |
Samoan Circles |
A leaderless meeting intended to help negotiations in controversial issues. The Samoan circle has people seated in a circle within a circle, however only those in the inner circle are allowed to speak. The inner circle should represent all the different viewpoints present, and all others must remain silent. The process offers others a chance to speak only if they join the 'inner circle'. See also Fishbowl Technique |
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Screener |
See Recruitment Questionnaire |
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Secondary Consultation |
Where consultees undertake their own consultation exercise among their own stakeholders (eg members, residents, subscribers etc) as an aid to influencing their response or submission to a primary consultation. |
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Section 75 |
Refers to an important provision of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 concerning equality of opportunity. Note:
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Section 242 |
Section 242 of the consolidated NHS Act 2006 places a duty on NHS trusts, primary care trusts and strategic health authorities to make arrangements to involve patients and the public in service planning and operation, and in the development of proposals for changes. This duty is supported by the guidance Real involvement: working with people to improve healthcare |
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Seldom Heard |
See Hard to Reach |
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Semantic Anchor |
Words used to assist respondents place a value on a numerical scale in survey questionnaires |
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Seminars |
Useful method of providing and, to a lesser extent, obtaining information from a large group of people. High profile ones can attract valuable media attention. |
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Sensitivity Panel |
A form of reconvened group discussion, developed in the UK in the 1960's by Bill Schlackman, where the specific intention is to sensitise the group to an issue of relevance to the client. With repeated group attendance and discussion of an issue, participants develop a greater awareness of and sensitivity to this issue. While their contribution is clearly no longer spontaneous, their developed view may be invaluable in unravelling a problem or helping answer a research question in new and a useful way |
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Sensory Walks |
A consultation method used when dealing with a particular geographical location and its services, whereby the consultees walk around the area and record their observations and emotions with the aim of finding their true feelings about the project under consultation. Particularly effective with the young and the elderly. |
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Service User |
The user, customer or consumer of a service and, therefore, one suitable to be consulted about that service. See also Consultee
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Sham Consultation |
Where there is a perception that decisions have already been taken and that a consultation is only really a public relations exercise. See also Tokenism |
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Short Life Focus Groups |
Intended to get round repetitive membership of focus groups. Participants are recruited in the street, and in such a way that there is a rough cross-section of the community according to age, gender, ethnicity. |
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Social Capacity |
The sum of the relationships and trust between individuals within a community. |
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Social Capital |
Institutions, relationships, networks, values and norms which shape the quality and quantity of a society’s social interactions. The UK Government has formally adopted the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's definition of social capital: "networks together with shared norms, values and understandings that facilitate co-operation within or among groups." In particular, social capital involves building 'bonds' and 'bridges' between people as a foundation for social support and community relationships (Putnam, 2000). Effective community involvement, especially horizontal involvement and networking, are key elements in the building of social capital. (Source: Home Office, 2004) |
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Social Exclusion |
This is what can happen when a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, unfair discrimination, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health and family breakdown lead to people or places being excluded from the outcomes and opportunities enjoyed by mainstream society. |
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Stakeholder |
An individual, group or party that either affects or is affected by an organisation, policy, programme or decision. Note:
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Stakeholder Analysis |
The starting point of most consultation and participatory work, Stakeholder Analysis addresses the fundamental questions of: Who are the key stakeholders in the project or study being undertaken or proposed? What are the interests of these stakeholders How will they be affected by the project? How influential are the different stakeholders and which stakeholders are most important for the success of the project? |
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Stakeholder Conference |
A dialogue method whereby a consultor, or its agent, organises an event to which is invited large numbers of stakeholders with the intention of stimulating dialogue not only with the consultor, but between the stakeholders themselves. |
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Stakeholder Consultation |
A consultation limited to a specific group of stakeholders |
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Stakeholder Database |
Information retained on an ITC system pertaining to identifiable stakeholders. |
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Stakeholder Engagement
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Stakeholder engagement is a way of thinking about external audiences and their relationship to organisational outcomes. It implies a longer-term relationship where both parties have a mutual interest in, and ability to impact upon, the project outcomes. N.B. external stakeholders may not necessarily be outside the organisation. They can also include those internal to the organisation, but external to a unit, program or project. |
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Stakeholder Identification |
The process of generating a list of those affected or likely to be affected by a decision, policy or programme of action. |
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Stakeholder Management Cycle |
Activities required in a comprehensive approach to the management of relationships with stakeholders. Note:
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Stakeholder Manager |
An emerging role in leading-edge organisations whereby a single individual assumes responsibility for determining and ensuring the implementation of various activities within the Stakeholder Management Cycle. Note:
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Stakeholder Mapping |
A graphical representation of stakeholders in ways that assist consultors and others with such individuals or organisations. |
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Stakeholder One-to-One |
A dialogue method whereby the consultor organises a face-to-face meeting with a single individual or stakeholder organisation with a view to an exchange of views on issues which may include those defined an a current consultation exercise. |
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Stakeholder Platforms |
Where key stakeholders are allowed by the consultors to set out their views in the consultation document for the information of others being consulted. |
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Stakeholder Portal |
A single Internet gateway for community organisations and other stakeholders to interface with a single consultor and those who consult alongside – providing easier access to relevant information and tools to make consultation response and engagement more valuable for all concerned. |
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Stakeholder Power Analysis |
An approach for understanding a system by identifying the key actors or stakeholders in it, and assessing their respective interests in, or influence on, the system. It is particularly useful for assisting in decision-making situations where various stakeholders have competing interests, resources are limited, and stakeholder needs must be appropriately balanced. |
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Stakeholder Profile |
Information gathered, stored and organised in respect of an organisation’s identified stakeholders. |
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Statement of Community Involvement
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A document required by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 whereby every planning authority must prepare a SCI (CIS in Wales). It must be subject to public participation and have had a sustainability assessment. |
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Stimulus material
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Material of a visual, verbal and/or auditory nature used to communicate certain ideas to enable them to be researched, or to stimulate discussion of relevant topics. |
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Storytelling |
A process of communicating through stories to get results in the modern organization that traditional abstract modes of communication can't. |
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Stratified Random Sample |
Randomly selecting from a whole population (a community, state, country, etc.) a statistically significant pool of hundreds of people and then (using interviews) choosing from that pool a smaller group who collectively reflect the diversity of the larger population according to specified criteria (demographic, opinion, location, etc.). The resulting group of 12-50 people can be viewed as a fair cross-section of the population. |
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Stratified Sample |
A technique of increasing the precision of survey exercises by segmenting the target population and gathering data from an agreed quantity of respondents. |
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Structured Templates |
Software designed to emulate face-to-face methods used in facilitated workshops. |
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Study Circle
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A Study Circle is a group of 8-12 people from different backgrounds and viewpoints who meet several times to talk about an issue. In a study circle, everyone has an equal voice, and people try to understand each other's views. They do not have to agree with each other. The idea is to share concerns and look for ways to make things better. A facilitator helps the group focus on different views and makes sure the discussion goes well. In a large-scale (or community-wide) study circle program, people all over a neighbourhood, city, county, school district, or region meet in diverse study circles over the same period of time. All of the study circles work on the same issue and seek solutions for the whole community. At the end of the round of study circles, people from all the study circles come together in a large community meeting to work together on the action ideas that came out the study circles. Study circle programs lead to a wide range of action and change efforts. |
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Submission |
A written (or electronically transmitted) document representing views of a consultee in response to a formally published consultation document. |
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Surveys |
Types of dialogue methods used in consultation exercises and normally consisting of collecting information by asking a set of pre-formulated questions in a predetermined sequence in a structured questionnaire to a sample of individuals or organisations selected so as to be representative of a wider target population. Notes:
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Sustainability Modelling
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A dialogue technique by which a community can assess its present position and test the likely effects of projects. The model consists of a 3 x 3 matrix. Teams assign scores to each of the columns then discuss the results and agree an assessment. |
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Synchronous Public Engagement
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Opposite of Asynchronous Public Engagement in that it does require simultaneous contributions. |