METHODS SESSIONS 2020: Using Freedom of Information Requests in Research –
David Whyte, University of Liverpool (Thursday 19th November, 2-3pm).
Step 1: Know your subject.
It is crucial that you are able to frame the ‘right’ question and that you are not going to annoy a contact in
the organisation with daft questions. It is also important to have some depth of knowledge about the
subject to enable you to interpret answers and then reformulate questions. It is also crucial to be aware
of the process of applying for freedom of information requests. Useful ‘awareness guidance’ is available
at the Information Commissioners’ website, ico.org.uk. Other useful resources include the Campaign for
Freedom of Information (http://www.cfoi.org.uk/) and Corporate Watch DIY Guide
(http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=2301)
Step 2: Know what’s out there.
There has been a rapid growth in the publication of different forms of data held by public organisations in
the past few years. It may be the case that the data you seek is already in the public domain. It is also
worth checking What Do They Know? (https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/ Freedom of Information data)
to see whether a similar Freedom of Information request has already been made.
Step 3: Think about the scale of your request.
In UK there is a £600 cost limit for central government and £450 for all other public authorities. This
time/cost limit works out as 24 hours’ work for central government, parliament and the armed forces, and
18 hours’ work for all other public authorities.
Step 4: Be open about who you are.
In the words of one former senior police officer with responsibility for dealing with freedom of information
requests: “We are going to google you anyway.” So it is best to be open and honest about your interest
in the subject and the purpose of the inquiry.
Step 5: Try to make ‘informal’ contact with someone in the organisation.
As noted above, it is quite possible that the information that you seek will be made available without the
need for a formal application. It also helps to establish contact before making a Freedom of Information
request, so that you are in a better position to frame the request and to know how successful it is likely
to be.
Step 6: When you do make a formal FOI request: be as specific as possible.
In some cases, it is worth asking for a list or schedule of the information that is held on a particular matter
before then asking for the particular documentation. Remember that not all information will be held in
paper records. You can ask for all paper and electronically recorded information, including audio
recordings and texts. Make sure you include clear timescales.
Step 7: Keep in contact after you have submitted a Freedom of Information request.
This is always crucial to understand how you might most usefully follow up your requests, and also gain
some important context for the data. Indeed, your contact will most likely want to provide this context;
remember that every public authority is under an obligation to advise you on your request.
Step 8: Be aware of the limits of your data.
Your data may not be useable in the way you hope. It may not, for example, be comparable across
authorities or across time, due to differences in gathering and presenting the data across authorities or
across time
Step 9: Remember you may be playing a ‘long game’.
You must be prepared to appeal any refusal to provide you with information. It is not unusual for requests
to take a number of months and even more than a year before they are finally decided upon.
