2.7. Statistical Analysis
The audit responses provided by staff were recorded into the audit tool. After each audit was completed, ratings of 0–3 were allocated to each of the 21 audit criteria, according to pre-specified rating rules, by one of the researchers conducting the audit (RW). A second researcher (SF) then independently reviewed the audit tool and rated the 21 criteria. The two sets of ratings were compared and any disagreement around ratings were resolved by discussion, until a consensus was reached. A two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann–Whitney) test was used to analyse the difference in audit scores between baseline and follow-up audits, on the three key action areas (outcome 1) and all other action areas (outcome 2). All analyses were conducted using Stata 16 [The extent of change across the six guideline themes was identified by summing item ratings within each theme and calculating the rates of change for each theme. The frequency with which each individual action area was selected by service staff (during workshops to operationalise their improvement goals), and whether improvements were subsequently observed in those action areas, were descriptively explored.