Scottish Household Survey: Methodology and Fieldwork Outcomes 2007/2008

DescriptionThis report, which accompanies the 2007/2008 Scottish Household Survey, provides information on the survey methodology, including sampling, data collection methods and limitations of Scottish Household Survey data. It also includes information on fieldwork targets and outcomes, data quality and weighting of the Scottish Household Survey
ISBN
Official Print Publication Date
Website Publication DateMay 20, 2010

A National Statistics Publication for Scotland NS logo

Steven Hope
Ipsos MORI Scotland

Jamie Burnett
Ipsos MORI Sampling and Statistics

This document is also available in pdf format


Contents

1 Survey overview

1.1 Background to the SHS

2 Sample design, selection and allocation

2.1 Stratification by local authority

2.2 Allocating sample to different time periods

2.3 Allocating sample between contractor organisations and questionnaire modules

2.4 Sampling from the Postcode Address File

2.5 Multiple dwellings

2.6 Respondent selection

3 Data collection methods and instruments

3.1 Use of Computer Aided Personal Interviewing (CAPI)

3.2 Questionnaire development and changes

3.3 Questionnaire structure, length and content

3.4 Problems and errors in the survey scripts

3.5 Survey fieldwork

4 Fieldwork targets and outcomes

4.1 Sample performance18

4.2 Fieldwork performance

5 Weighting

5.1 Weighting for analysis based on household data

5.2 Weighting for analysis based on individual (random adult) data

5.3 Weighting for analysis based on the 'random schoolchild'

5.4 Weighting for the selection of a random child

5.5 Weighting for analysis based on the Travel Diary

6 Limitations of the data

6.1 Quarterly data for Scotland as a whole

7 Bias and data quality

8 Survey design factors and complex standard errors

A National Statistic publication for Scotland



List of Tables

Table 2-1: Projected two-year achieved sample size by local authority and SRS equivalent sample over target periods

Table 2-2: Procedure for allocating PSUs by month of fieldwork

Table 4-1: Deadwood rate assumptions and actual deadwood

Table 4-2: Summary of outcomes at issued addresses for 2007/2008 sample

Table 4-3: Trends in SHS response rates 1999 to 2008

Table 4-4: Household interview targets and numbers achieved in each local authority, 2007/2008

Table 4-5: Random adult (RA) response rates, 2007/2008

Table 7-1: Comparison of household types in the 2001 Census and the 2007/2008 SHS

Table 7-2: Comparison of housing variables in the 2001 Census and the 2007/2008 SHS

Table 7-3: Comparison of weighted and unweighted age and sex profile of 2007/2008 SHS data with 2008 GROS mid-year estimates

Table 7-4: Comparison of key variables relating to driving and transport

Table 7-5: Comparison of ethnicity in Census 2001 and 2007/2008 SHS

Table 7-6: Comparison of all Scottish households, all sampled households, all eligible households and participating households by urban rural classification

Table 7-7: Differences in the classification of sampled addresses and 2007/2008 participating households

Table 7-8: Comparison of economic activity variables among adults of working age

Table 8-1: Design factors and confidence intervals for key variables in 2007/2008 data

Page updated: Thursday, May 20, 2010