High quality survey research allows government, business and civil society organisations to shape policies and make informed, evidenced based decisions. It allows the impact of policies and decisions to be monitored and targets to be assessed.
The Scottish Government conducts several major population surveys that are used to inform the policy debate in Scotland. There are also a number of UK surveys that include a Scottish dimension that are also used to form policies in Scotland.
Long Term Strategy for Population Surveys in Scotland 2009 - 2019
In 2009 the Scottish Government consulted on and subsequently published the Long Term Strategy for Population Surveys in Scotland 2009 -2019. The strategy is designed to improve the way population surveys are run and to increase the availability and use of survey data, both at a national and local level.
Long Term Strategy for Population Surveys in Scotland 2009 - 2019
The long term strategy is accompanied by a Delivery Plan. This will remain a 'live' document and be updated following each meeting of the Scottish Population Surveys Co-ordinating Committee.
Scottish Population Surveys Co-ordinating Committee
The Scottish Population Surveys Co-ordinating Committee (SPSCC) was formed to provide a co-ordinated approach to the development of population surveys in Scotland.
The SPSCC is the strategic group tasked with delivery of the Long Term Strategy for Population Surveys in Scotland 2009 - 2019.
The SPSCC is supported by the Scottish Population Survey Working Group
Scottish Population Surveys Working Group
The remit of the Working Group is to
- deliver components of the Long Term Strategy for Population Surveys in Scotland 2009 - 2019, in line with the Delivery Plan agreed by the Scottish Population Surveys Co-ordination Committee (SPSCC).
- report on progress to the SPSCC every time it meets.
- inform the SPSCC of any population survey issues not covered in the Long Term Strategy as and when they emerge and to action recommendations made by the SPSCC concerning these issues.
Membership of the Working Group includes
- The Survey Harmonisation Co-ordinator (chair)
- The survey managers of the Scottish Household Survey, the Scottish House Condition Survey, the Scottish Health Survey, the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey and Growing Up in Scotland (permanent members)
- All leads on elements of the Long Term Strategy Delivery Plan and topic experts (temporary members as appropriate).
Survey Harmonisation
A core element of the Scottish Government's strategy for surveys is its survey harmonisation work. The survey harmonisation agenda seeks to meet information needs in a more effective way, achieving better value for money, through a more co-ordinated approach to conducting surveys in Scotland.
Standard Socio-Economic Core Questions
As part of the survey harmonisation work a core set of 20 socio economic standard questions are being developed. These standard core questions are being introduced to the Scottish Government's major population surveys and are recommended for use in ad-hoc and local surveys.
The 20 questions cover 7 topic areas - people and places, identity, health, housing, education, employment and transport.
Using standard questions across all surveys will bring several benefits:
- Comparability across surveys - using harmonised questions in local or ad-hoc surveys means results can be compared to the national surveys
- The costs of designing surveys will be reduced
- Survey managers can be confident that survey participants understand what is being asked becuase the questions have been thoroughly tested
- Answers are grouped in such a way to ensure the results produced are useful for analysis
- The risk of offence is reduced when asking questions about sensitive subjects because questions have been widely consulted on
If you have any comments or queries relating to Survey Harmonisation, please contact harmonisation@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Cross Sectional Population Surveys Conducted in Scotland
Cross Section Surveys Conducted Across the UK/ GB
Cross Sectional Surveys Conducted Across the UK/ GB with a Scottish Boost
Longitudinal Surveys in Scotland