Integrated Household Survey An overview and update Neil Bannister and Gareth Powell Social Survey Division ONS

Introduction Background and context to the IHS Structure of the IHS IHS Outputs Future of the IHS

Background Separate continuous household surveys managed by different teams, with different sample and fieldwork designs, and processing systems. Aim of the IHS is to integrate surveys into one modular survey with a core set of questions and survey modules bolted to the core.

Drivers Harmonisation of questions - Some harmonised questions, concepts and outputs where developed across surveys during the 1990s. But many subtle differences too leading to different competing estimates. Inter-Censal Data – Pressure to provide more accurate population data between censuses Demand for Local Level Data - Ever-growing demand for more information, particularly at a local level within the UK Value for Money - Pressure to deliver better value for money from the ONS household survey programme

Which Continuous Surveys? (Current) The IHS was launched in January 2008 and contained the following surveys: General Lifestyle Survey – Longitudinal (GLF) – 4 wave panel interview at 12 month intervals Living Costs & Food (LCF) – single interview. Two week diary-keeping element. English Housing Survey (EHS) – single interview + surveyor visit Opinions (OPN) – single interview

Which Continuous Surveys? (2) From April 2009: Quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS ) – 5 wave panel interview at 13 week intervals Annual Population Survey (APS) – 4 wave panel interview at 12 month intervals From June 2009: Life Opportunities Survey (LOS) - a longitudinal survey

IHS Core Content Initially, the IHS is based around the existing ONS surveys, plus a set of common core questions collected from each household and adult household member. –Household, family and individual level questions –Long Term Goal - Rotating core (questions repeated every few years – subject to demand and funding)

Structure of the IHS (Proposed) Core Labour Force Survey (LFS) General Lifestyle (GLF) Living Costs & Food (LCF) Interview Length Sample Size

Current Structure of Core Using GLF as an example CoreModule Interview Length Core blockGLF block IHS CoreGLF Module Original design Current design

IHS: 2009/ 2010 Sample Size by Component Survey Interview TypeEstimated Achieved Interviews (Individuals Aged 16+) GLF 15,000 LCF 10,000 OPN 24,000 EHS 33,000 APS +LFS 270,000 LOS 16,000 Annual Total 368,000 The expected breakdown of the annual sample is as follows:

The IHS Output How the dataset is produced What is on the dataset How you can access it

Producing the IHS Derived variables Weighting Imputation Documentation User guides – variable lists / descriptions, methodology details etc

Contents of the IHS High sample population Key derived variables Broad range of topics

Releasing the data First release in autumn April 09 to March 10 data Then a rolling annual dataset released every quarter

Access to IHS data Government Statistical Service Trusted User / Special Licence Public dataset User Group workshops after release

Sample Design Original plan – all IHS surveys to have an unclustered design Problems with technology needed to implement a full unclustered design in field Current plans LOS, EHS and LFS unclustered Opinions, LCF and GLF clustered

The Future Bring in more surveys into the IHS – subject to their suitability for inclusion The delivery of the first IHS Outputs in the Autumn The provision of an IHS Publication Delivery of regular outputs

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