FOI request detail

Consultation results

Request ID: FOI-1479-2021
Date published: 25 November 2020

You asked

Thank you for this. It is contrary to best practise in market research to include duplicates in a survey, shouldn’t respondents, for example been asked if they had already completed the survey to avoid this? In understand that some anomalies regarding the Pell Frischman survey data were identified in February 2019 (as referenced in ‘Arnos Grove Cockfosters - Planning kick off meeting_Redacted’ provided in response to FOI request IRV-017-2021). Clearly the fact it contained duplicates was one of the problems with the data collection, plus having seen the reports myself, I have spotted at least one other mistake. Please provide a copy of any report that explained all of the anomalies. I’m also puzzled why the data couldn’t be provided in Excel ? Providing it like this seems vexatious. Could you please explain or simply resupply in Excel? Thank you.

We answered

TfL Ref: 1479-2021

Thank you for your request received by us on 28 October 2020 asking for information about the Cockfosters Development Consultation results following your previous response for information (reference:1230-2021).

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked for the following:

It is contrary to best practise in market research to include duplicates in a survey, shouldn’t respondents, for example been asked if they had already completed the survey to avoid this?

Tracsis, who conducted the research on Transport for London’s (TfL) request, followed accepted industry practice in carrying out the consultation. TfL has no reason to believe that the results were materially skewed by duplicate responses.

I understand that some anomalies regarding the Pell Frischman survey data were identified in February 2019 (as referenced in ‘Arnos Grove Cockfosters - Planning kick off meeting_Redacted’ provided in response to FOI request IRV-017-2021). Clearly the fact it contained duplicates was one of the problems with the data collection, plus having seen the reports myself, I have spotted at least one other mistake. Please provide a copy of any report that explained all of the anomalies.

We do not hold a report in this regard. Pell Frischmann was appointed by TfL as an independent consultant to review and summarise data on this project. The report that Pell Frischmann submitted to TfL omitted any data that Pell Frischmann in its professional capacity considered anomalous.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

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Yours sincerely

Jasmine Howard
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

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