Future Graduate Skills: A Scoping Study – Methodology

This scoping study used two different data collection methods, a questionnaire and telephone interviews. Both methods were qualitative, as the aim was to allow respondents to propose their own ideas and gain an insight into different perspectives on sustainability skills and graduate requirements, rather than circumscribing answers and predicting themes. The overall aim of this study is to identify initial themes, ideas and insights that could inform further study and research, so it was important to avoid leading questions.

The questionnaire consisted of mainly open questions, and the interviews were semi-structured to make sure that the same type of information was collected from each participant, while allowing the interviewee to lead the discussion.

This methodology explained the methods used in the creation, data collection and data analysis of the questionnaire. This was followed by an explanation of the methods, data collection and data analysis of the telephone interviews.

The complete Methodology can be accessed in the Future Graduate Skills Study.