SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSIGNMENT

Social Science Assignment



Social Science Assignment

Strategy 1

The Census is required to be consistent, timely and accurate. As far as the first is concerned it is hard to claim consistency when surveys are so far apart - especially when changes in methodology and population definitions are fed into the mix. More of these changes are planned for the next Census (if there is one), but the future strategy aims to achieve consistent accuracy of estimates rather than setting out to apply consistent methods across all areas - recognition, perhaps, that the one size fits all approach is no longer tenable. The Census is also required to be timely, but it is woefully slow. Though the count was over 30 months ago, we are still waiting, among other things, for data by postcode sector and for migration data. The Census is not frequent enough for most commercial uses of the data, but this timescale also means that the Census is slow to respond to changes in population or innovations in research ideas and methodologies. (Dimmitt M 1984 Pp. 21-24.)

The third requirement is accuracy and this it does pretty well, though not necessarily better than a large-scale sample survey would do. The Census population figure has a margin of error of 2%, rising to 5% in the areas of maximum uncertainty. It also has response rates that are the envy of the commercial research sector, but even the Census is falling victim to the declining interest of the population. There is a wealth of government data eg the Labour Force Survey, family resources and expenditure surveys, migration and travel surveys and so on, that in many ways duplicate Census findings. A Census is planned for 2011 and the intention seems to be to match other data such as population and address registers with 2011 Census findings to create a Population Statistics database. This would then be updated regularly and supplemented by continuous population surveys, specific area surveys and possibly, a rolling but reduced Census exercise.

Its important to know that the ONS seems to share my view that the current Census is too slow, too infrequent, uses outmoded methodology, has to live with declining response, is too expensive and could relatively easily be replaced….it does look as if the question is not 'if' the Census is abolished. Unique Information It has information of three kinds: about number in the population, about population structures - how people group together - and about population characteristics ie those with long-term illness, the number of carers - information that is not available elsewhere. Universal coverage. (Dimmitt M 1984 Pp. 21)

It includes everyone in the same way - children as well as adults and everyone across the country, not just those who live in particular localities, and not just those who happen to use certain services. (Sara D.G. 2000 Pp. 28-32.)

Comparability Information is collected in the same way everywhere, at a single point in time. Small area statistics The Census has information for small areas and a ...