Data collection and publication - ethnic group: guidance

Recommended questions

The recommended questions set out in this guidance note are identical to the question in Scotland's Census 2022^[11] aside from the addition of 'refusal' and 'prefer not to say' options, and the numbering of the sub-categories, included here as they may be of use to interviewers.

Question: What is your ethnic group?

Answer: Choose one section from A to F, then tick one box which best describes your ethnic group or background

A. White

• 1. Scottish
• 2. Other British
• 3. Irish
• 4. Polish
• 5. Gypsy / Traveller
• 6. Roma
• 7. Showman / Showwoman
• 8. Other white ethnic group, please write in

B. Mixed or multiple ethnic groups

• 9. Any mixed or multiple ethnic groups, please write in

C. Asian, Scottish Asian or British Asian

• 10. Pakistani, Scottish Pakistani or British Pakistani
• 11. Indian, Scottish Indian or British Indian
• 12. Bangladeshi, Scottish Bangladeshi or British Bangladeshi
• 13. Chinese, Scottish Chinese or British Chinese
• 14. Other, please write in

D. African, Scottish African or British African

• 15. Please write in (for example, Nigerian, Somali)

E. Caribbean or Black

• 16. Please write in (for example, Scottish Caribbean, Black Scottish)

F. Other ethnic group

• 17. Arab, Scottish Arab or British Arab
• 18. Other, please write in (for example, Sikh, Jewish)

G.

• 19. Refusal (spontaneous only)
• 20. Prefer not to say (non-interviewer led questionnaires only)

Alternative online formatting

The online questionnaire version of Scotland's Census 2022 will feature a two-part question. Respondents will be presented with the top level categories first, with the relevant sub-categories revealed upon selection^[12]. A two-stage ethnic group question performed well in testing. Only the above single-part question has been tested for paper surveys. There is some difference in language between the single-part question and multi-part question detailed below.

Question 1

Question: What is your ethnic group

Answer: The respondent is required to select one option only. The next question asks the respondent about their ethnic group in more detail.

A. White

(including Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman / Showwoman) Feeds into 2a

B. Mixed or multiple ethnic groups

(including any mixed or multiple ethnic groups) Feeds into 2b

C. Asian, Scottish Asian or British Asian

(including any Asian ethnic group) Feeds into 2c

D. African, Scottish African or British African

(including any African ethnic group) Feeds into 2d

E. Caribbean or Black

(including Scottish Caribbean, Black Scottish) Feeds into 2e

F. Other ethnic group

(any other ethnic group including Arab, Sikh, Jewish) Feeds into 2f

G.

• 19. Refusal (spontaneous only)
• 20. Prefer not to say (non-interviewer led questionnaires only)

Question 2a

Question: Which one best describes your white ethnic group or background?

Answer: The respondent is required to select one option only. If the respondent selects "Other" they are required to enter their other white ethnic group in the box provided.

• 1. Scottish
• 2. Other British
• 3. Irish
• 4. Polish
• 5. Gypsy / Traveller
• 6. Roma
• 7. Showman / Showwoman
• 8. Other white ethnic group

A write in box must be provided where "Other" is selected

Question 2b

Question: What are your mixed or multiple ethnic groups?

Answer: The respondent is required to provide their ethnic groups.

• 9. A write in box must be provided

Question 2c

Question: Which one best describes your Asian, Scottish Asian or British Asian ethnic group or background?

Answer: The respondent is required to select one option only. If the respondent selects "Other" they are required to enter their other Asian ethnic group in the box provided.

• 10. Pakistani, Scottish Pakistani or British Pakistani
• 11. Indian, Scottish Indian or British Indian
• 12. Bangladeshi, Scottish Bangladeshi or British Bangladeshi
• 13. Chinese, Scottish Chinese or British Chinese
• 14. Other

A write in box must be provided where "Other" is selected

Question 2d

Question: What is your African, Scottish African or British African ethnic groups or background?

Answer: The respondent is required to enter their African ethnic group or background (for example, Nigerian, Somali) in the box provided.

• 15. A write in box must be provided

Question 2e

Question: What is your Caribbean or Black ethnic groups or background?

Answer: The respondent is required to enter their Caribbean or Black ethnic group or background (for example, Scottish Caribbean, Black Scottish) in the box provided.

• 16. A write in box must be provided

Question 2f

Question: Which one best describes your other ethnic group or background?

Answer: The respondent is required to select one option only. If the respondent selects "Other" they are required to enter their other ethnic group (for example, Sikh, Jewish) in the box provided.

• 17. Arab, Scottish Arab or British Arab
• 18. Other (for example, Sikh, Jewish)

A write in box must be provided where "Other" is selected