Scottish Govt sustainable farming survey.

Filled it out this morning, fairly benign, but not a very well composed survey.

For example, we are arable, yet it was not possible to skip some livestock specific questions with an n/a answer, some of the questions include a “non applicable” option but most don’t , therefore in order to progress you need to tick a box, but in doing so, the answer provided leans a certain way. Maybe I’m too suspicious but I feel something fishy about it.
eg


I answer I have done a biodiversity audit


then immediately have to provide a reason why I haven’t done one, this must be filled in to proceed.


Livestock questions, again cannot proceed without a box being ticked, no n/a option:







I had identified which sector(s) the business is involved in early in the survey:


So why do I get irrelevant questions, that I have to answer and have no option to skip?
I’m quite aware that the answers I provide paint a picture of someone who carries out no planning for the welfare or improvement of their animals……..but I don’t have any animals……which they should know, from question 6……..but I still get the questions with no n/a option, so my answers will be that I “never do it” or feel “it is irrelevant” which are answers open to interpretation and if looked at in isolation do not provide a true reflection of fact


Then of course comes the “diversity section”


So, badly written/designed survey or one designed to provide some predetermined outcomes???

Y Fan Wen said:

Do I infer that this survey is by or on behalf of the Scottish Government?
If so, 'incompetent' is the word I would use.

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That’s my first impression, but when I answered these questions, my answers could be interpreted as being of someone who cares not for their environment or their animals, despite those questions being irrelevant to me. So if one wanted to portray respondents in a certain light, it wouldn’t be hard to do.

bobajob said:

You get paid £50 for doing it, I'm not sure whether to do it or not .

Its not anonymous, it could be another big stick to beat you with.....

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Yes, kinda agree, but decisions are made by those who turn up.
So I figure to ignore it you forgo the opportunity to influence the outcome.

But it is a terrible document.