In the spotlight - Understanding Society - the Wave 1 data are here!

Article dated: 19 October 2010

Wave 1/Year 1 data of the world's largest household panel survey - Understanding Society - are now available for download via the Understanding Society catalogue record. This first release of the data is restricted to the General Population sample only.

Understanding Society has, since 2009, both replaced and incorporated the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). Interviews are conducted on an annual basis as they were in the BHPS. Understanding Society runs questions used by its predecessor, thus preserving many long-standing time-series.

In terms of sample size the new survey dwarfs the BHPS, following a sample of around 40,000 households, equating to 100,000 individuals.

Understanding Society offers users new research opportunities, chiefly: an Innovation Panel, separate to the main sample, which allows for methodological experimentation and testing of survey designs; and an ethnic minority boost sample which will enable more robust analysis to be undertaken on Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Caribbean and African communities.

Once the data are made available, ESDS Longitudinal will be promoting Understanding Society, providing an overview of the study and responses to Frequently Asked Questions.

Users who are keen to find out more about the survey can already access the questionnaires for Waves 1 to 3 and download some of the early work coming out of the study.

Understanding Society is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and run by the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER). The study allows for deeper analysis of a wide range of sections of the population as they respond to regional, national and international change. It is a multi-purpose multi-topic survey, mapping the social landscape of the UK. It will tell us about our working lives, relationships, health, finances, neighbourhoods, education, transport, environmental issues and more.