NATIONAL

HEALTH BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN:
WHO COLLABORATIVE CROSS-NATIONAL STUDY (HBSC)
2014 SURVEY IN SCOTLAND NATIONAL REPORT
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RESPONSE RATES
Of the 858 school classes asked to participate in the survey, 626 (73%) took part. The breakdown of response rates is
shown in Table 1.1. Pupil responses within classes were good, with approximately 12% of pupils in the class not returning a
questionnaire. Response rates were higher among primary classes than secondary (particularly secondary 4 classes and
pupils). The main reason for school (class) non-response was that they were too busy. The main reason for pupil nonresponse
was illness or unexplained absence. Questionnaires for pupils not present in the class on the day of the survey
were provided for later completion.
WEIGHTING
Pupils from boost areas had a higher probability of inclusion in the survey than their peers in non-boost areas. Design
weights were applied to adjust for differences in sampling frequencies between local authorities and school type.
Some local authorities were not represented in the final dataset at all (Perth and Kinross) or in certain age groups
(Clackmannanshire, Renfrewshire). Although these represent a small proportion of all pupils in Scotland, it is important
to make sure that the impact of this low response rate in some areas on sample representativeness is minimized. Poststratification
weighting of the sample was used to make the sample representative of Scottish P7, S2 and S4 pupils with
respect to several characteristics despite the lack of pupils from some local authorities.
The final national sample was post-stratified with respect to school denomination, school Scottish Government 6-point
urban-rural classification, and to equal representation of boys and girls using raking weights (for pupils attending state
funded schools only). Data for the weighting control variables were obtained from the Scottish Schools Pupil Census 2014.
Table 1.1
RESPONSE RATES BY CLASS
RESPONSE RATES IN 2014 PERCENTAGE ACHIEVED SAMPLES
Primary 7
Class response 78%
Pupil response 89%
Total response 70% 4091
Secondary 2
Class response 69%
Pupil response 90%
Total response 62% 3765
Secondary 4
Class response 70%
Pupil response 83%
Total response 58% 2983
Whole sample response 64% 10839
INTRODUCTION AND METHODS
ADMINISTRATION OF SURVEY INSTRUMENT
Questionnaires were administered in schools between March and June 2014, with the majority being returned by the end
of May. The administration of the questionnaire in schools was conducted by school teachers who were given written
instructions on how to carry this out. Teachers were also given a class return form to complete, which detailed how
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