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Title:
ESRC/JISC Questionnaire to Users of Census Data : Views About the 2001 Census of Population, 1997
(Workshops Planning for the 2001 Census : Determining Academic Community Needs and Strategy)

Subject Categories:
Reference sources - Reference and instructional resources
Population censuses - Population, vital statistics and censuses

Depositor(s):
Rees, P., University of Leeds. School of Geography

Principal Investigator(s):
Rees, P., University of Leeds. School of Geography

Sponsor(s):
Economic and Social Research Council
Higher Education Funding Councils. Joint Information Systems Committee

Grant Number:
H507255147 (ESRC Award)

Abstract:
The objectives of the project were :
to prepare the case for the ESRC/JISC purchase of 2001 Census datasets and to prepare the case for a Census Programme and suggest directions it might take;
to prepare options for ESRC/JISC on the dissemination of the datasets;
to prepare proposals to the Census Offices on Census questions, methods and products;
to prepare proposals to the Census Offices on collaborative ventures;
to advise on a strategy for negotiations with the Census Offices.

A similar survey, for the 1991 Census, was conducted in 1987 by Marsh, C. et al : the data from this study are held at the Data Archive under SN:2460.
Main Topics:
The dataset contains the responses of 140 academic users of census data on their views about the 2001 Census of population. Questions were asked under the following four themes :
1. Topics and questions proposed for the 2001 Census.
2. Proposed changes in concepts for the 2001 Census.
3. Proposed changes in outputs for the 2001 Census : Area Statistics, Samples of Anonymised Records (SARS), Migration Statistics, Workplace Statistics, the ONS Longitudinal Study - inclusion of the 2001 Census, boundary data, look up tables, flexible outputs from the 2001 Census.
4. ESRC/JISC Census Programme services : registration procedures, help with census data, documentation and training, methods of access, software for extraction and analysis of census data, shape of the ESRC/JISC Census Programme after 2001.

Measurement Scales
The main scale used was a five-part categorisation of usefulness/importance for the respondent's research :
essential; highly desirable; of interest; very low priority; not of interest.

Coverage:
Dates of Fieldwork: 11 August 1997-30 November 1997
Country: United Kingdom
Observation Units: Individuals
Kind of Data: Textual data; Numeric data; Individual (micro) level

Universe Sampled:
Location of Units of Observation:National
Population:Academic users of the Census of Population, mainly faculty (teaching and research) staff in universities, in the United Kingdom during 1997.

Methodology:
Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling Procedures: 1200 questionnaires were sent to all social science departments in UK universities and to all individuals on various ESRC/JISC Census Programme lists.
Number of Units: 1200 (target) 140 (obtained)
Method of Data Collection: Postal survey

Language(s) of Written Materials:
Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:
Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Access and Preservation, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: help@esds.ac.uk

Date of Release:
First Edition: 26 April 1999

Copyright:
Copyright Economic and Social Research Council and Joint Information Systems Committee

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