Scottish Surveys Core Questions 2023

Annex A. Comparison of the Pooled Surveys

In this section, estimates from the pooled SSCQ and its constituent surveys, SCJS, SHeS and SHS, are displayed and assessed to determine agreement for key variables.

There are three ways in which the results could vary between the three component surveys:

1. There could be different biases in the pool of individuals completing the different surveys which weighting can only partly correct for.
2. The different context in which the questions are asked in the three component surveys as well as mode effects may have an impact on responses given.
3. Mode effects, e.g. sexual orientation, trans status, veteran status and mental health and wellbeing are asked by an interviewer in SCJS and SHS but in a self-completion module in SHeS.

The data presented here are the components of the SSCQ as contributed by each survey based on the SSCQ’s pooled methodology, not the estimates from each individual survey as published in their respective publications. Differences from published estimates in individual surveys are due to the valid sample size and weights being applied before pooling (see section 1.2).

Row percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding and the exclusion of “refused” and “don’t know” responses.

Although the perception of crime question was included in the Scottish Health Survey 2023, it is not included in the SSCQ 2023. This is because the current SSCQ methodology requires a full set of crime variables to produce robust outputs and the police confidence variables were not collected in SHeS 2023. 

Table A.1: Self-assessed general health by source survey (row % and margin of error)

Table A.2: Current smoker by source survey (row % and margin of error)

Table A.3: Long-term limiting health condition by source survey (row % and margin of error)

Table A.4: Provides unpaid care by source survey (row % and margin of error)

Table A.5: Average mental wellbeing score by source survey (row average and margin of error)

Table A.6: Veteran status by source survey (row % and margin of error)

Table A.7: Sexual orientation by source survey (row % and margin of error)

Table A.8: Perception of local crime rate by source survey (row % and margin of error)

*Figures suppressed due to statistical disclosure control (fewer than 100 observations)

Table A.9: Confidence in police by source survey (row % and margin of error)

A: Prevent Crime

B: Respond quickly to appropriate calls and information from the public

C: Deal with incidents as they occur

D: Investigate incidents as they occur

E: Solve crimes

F: Catch criminals