Survey research aims to understand social issues and inform effective public policy. For results to be accurate and equitable, surveys must inclusively represent diverse population sub-groups. Excluding these groups can lead to biased data and policies that perpetuate inequalities. Consequently, inclusivity is now a core principle for major statistical bodies such as the UK Statistics Authority. However, achieving greater inclusivity involves practical trade-offs, as measures such as targeted procedures, alternative response modes, or survey questionnaire translations or adaptations, are often resource intensive.
This workshop will present research conducted as part of Research Strand 4 of the Survey Futures project (“Surveys without field interviewers”). We will introduce a working paper, published on the Survey Futures website, that provides a framework for identifying and addressing the risks of exclusion from social surveys. We will also summarise our evidence review, focusing on inclusivity for two main population sub-groups: first, individuals with disabilities and impairments (including visual impairments, hearing loss and deafness, motor control impairments, neurological conditions, neurodivergence, and mental health conditions); and second, individuals with literacy and language limitations (including those with low functional literacy, cultural and linguistic minorities, and digitally excluded populations). The workshop will also introduce practical recommendations for survey practice, highlighting measures aimed at increasing participation among population sub-groups that are harder to include in self-administered surveys, while maintaining the goal of obtaining high-quality, representative data.
Programme:
15:00 – 15:05: Welcome and Introductions (Olga Maslovskaya, University of Southampton, UK)
15:05 – 15:30: A framework for identifying and addressing the risks of exclusion from social surveys (Peter Lynn – ISER / University of Essex, UK)
15:30 – 16:15: What can self-completion surveys do to maximise accessibility and inclusivity? (Nhlanhla Ndebele – European Social Survey / City St George’s, University of London, UK and Cristian Domarchi – University of Southampton, UK)
16:15 – 16:30: Q&A session and discussion
Please note that this is the second of two workshops being delivered by our Research Strand 4 colleagues on the afternoon of 16thMarch. You can sign up for either or both!