Developing the questionnaires
Following user consultation, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) launched a programme of question development and testing, to ensure that the 2011 Census meets as many user requirements as possible. New questions were developed for topics where there is a new demand for information, and existing questions were redeveloped to account for increasing or changing user requirements.
A series of four open meetings in England and Wales took place in March 2007 to share current thinking on the likely content of the 2011 Census questionnaire with a focus on ethnicity and identity questions in particular. Slide presentations given at the meetings are available to download as a single PowerPoint file.
The first major milestone in this development programme was the 2007 Census Test, where the newly developed questions were used on a large scale for the first time. Further information about the development and use of the questionnaire for the 2007 Test is available using the menu link.
2011 Census content workshop - three and four page questionnaire discussion
ONS held a workshop in February 2008 with representatives of the Census Advisory Groups to discuss the ONS priorities for content for both 3 pages and 4 pages of individual questions on the Census questionnaire. There was support for the inclusion of new questions on second residences and visitors. However, concerns were raised about the number of new migration questions (i.e. month/year of entry into UK, citizenship, intended length of stay in UK) and the impact this may have on migrants and the general population as a whole. The willingness of migrants to answer a question on intended length of stay was also questioned as well as the likely quality of the answers provided.
When considering content for a three page questionnaire, general concern was raised about the priority given to new migration questions in comparison to 2001 questions (i.e. carers, industry and qualifications). The proposed four page content received more general agreement although there was still an issue concerning the number of new migration questions along with national identity. The ONS proposal to exclude the topic of income received mixed views, and similarly concern for exclusion of identity was expressed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) who support inclusion of a sexual identity question.
Feedback was provided expressing that ONS will need to justify its priorities for topics given the changes that have taken place since the original 2005 topic consultation. A small group exercise took place to construct a questionnaire which showed the difficulties in reaching agreement between users with different priorities and viewpoints.
Information supporting the workshop is available in documents using the links in the menu above. This includes an agenda and list of attendees at the workshop, a summary of requirements and proposed content for the questionnaire, and two example questionnaires. There are also details of activities and exercises conducted during the workshop to engage attendees and demonstrate competing questionnaire priorities, together with a question and answer document.
Four page questionnaire decision
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) subsequently obtained funding for a fourth page of individual questions and central government departments have agreed to contribute towards this.
The current working assumption is for a 32-page household questionnaire with four pages of individual questions for six usual residents (with an additional eight pages to record household members, visitors, relationships between household members and housing questions). It should be noted that questionnaires in multiples of eight pages are the most cost-effective in terms of printing and collation. The decision has been made to include six usual residents rather than five (as was the case in 2001) on the 2011 Census questionnaire.
Equality impact assessment of Ethnicity, National Identity, Language and Religion question development
ONS has conducted an assessment to investigate the potential impact on race, religion and belief, gender, and disability equality of the Census questions related to ethnicity, national identity, language and religion. The aim is for ONS to eliminate or reduce any adverse impact to the greatest possible extent within its available resources. The Equality Impact Assessment Report details the findings of the assessment, and the Action Plan sets out the recommendations, actions planned to address the issues raised, and the progress of these actions. Both the report and action plan are available to download.
2011 Census questionnaire update: Additional testing planned June 2009
The Office for National Statistics has continued its detailed preparation for the 2011 Census following the publication of its plans and proposed questions in the White Paper ‘Helping to shape tomorrow’ in December 2008. The questions to be asked in the 2009 Census Rehearsal were published at the same time. For further details please see the related links section.
The publication of the White Paper has provided the opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny and public debate and ONS would like to highlight the actions being taken as a result of this process. Responding to some concerns raised during the period since the White Paper was published; ONS has identified a small number of issues for further investigation and evidence gathering.
Additional development and testing of the questions about student addresses, religion and citizenship is taking place, along with further testing of the ethnic group question.
This further question testing will be completed by August in order to allow final decisions to be made on these outstanding issues before the Census Order is laid before Parliament in autumn 2009.
ONS has communicated this additional question development and testing to Census Advisory Groups. An information paper containing further details of the planned development and testing is available in the downloads section of this page.
