NISRIE analytical framework
Novel Insight on Scotland's Rural and Island Economies Analytical Framework
There are a wide range of geographic classifications available to assess socio-economic data in Scotland. For example, population, business and household data can be combined from individuals to households, to postcode geographies, to data zones, to intermediate zones, to local authorities, to regions – and ultimately to broad urban–rural classifications of Scotland.
Often data availability, avoidance of disclosing personal information, the target audience, or the context of the analysis determines the most appropriate geography from an analytical perspective. Analysis at higher level geographies permits broad differences to be quickly understood, but lower-level geographies permit the data variances and detail at local level to be observed.
Throughout the NISRIE project a wide range of geographic scales are used to analyse, summarise and report data. Wherever possible the data is classified by existing rural, urban, island or remoteness from urban centre classifications. In recognition of the unique socio-economic characteristics of Islands – specifically with the requirements of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 in mind - the NISRIE project evolved the 2020 Scottish Government Urban - Rural Classification to specifically separate ‘islands’ into their own classification and to also create a new 'very remote mainland' classification. These two new classifications help shine a light on the specific demographic and economic structures, challenges and opportunities in these fragile areas.
As some data sets are unavailable at lower 'data zone' geographies, due to lack of data observations and redaction to avoid disclosure, a new classification system for 'Intermediate zones' was also developed.
These classifications have been used throughout our NISRIE project to ensure that the issues specific to Scotland's very remote and island communities is fully considered in policy discourse particularly as the Rural Delivery Plan is evolved.Author: Steven Thomson
Funded by the Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme 2022-2027. SRUC-E1-1: Novel insights on Scotland’s rural and island economies (NISRIE)
You can read the report using the download link below or you can find the report using the DOI: https://doi.org/10.58073/SRUC.23807580.v1
