Population surveys in Scotland

Introduction

High quality survey research allows government, business and civil society organisations to shape policies and make informed, evidenced based decisions. It allows the impact of policies and decisions to be monitored and targets to be assessed.

The Scottish Government conducts several major population surveys that are used to inform the policy debate in Scotland. There are also a number of UK surveys that include a Scottish dimension that are used to form policies in Scotland.

Listed below are major population surveys which are conducted regularly by the Scottish Government (at least biennially, with many surveys annual).

Cross-cutting surveys

The following surveys are all cross sectional i.e. give a snapshot of the population at one point in time. All of the surveys below are run at least biennially and many annually. Statistical information from one-off or occaisional surveys is also used but this will be referenced through the topic pages only.

• Scottish Household Survey incorporating the Scottish House Condition Survey
• Scottish Surveys Core Questions (SSCQ)

Topic-specific surveys

All of the surveys below are run at least biennially and many annually. Statistical information from one-off or occaisional surveys is also used but this will be referenced through the topic pages only.

Cross sectional e.g. give a snapshot of the population at one point in time:

• Scottish Health Survey
• Scottish Crime and Justice Survey
• Scottish Health and Care Experience Survey

Longitudinal i.e. ask the same people over multiple time periods:

• Growing up in Scotland