What is this study?
Office for National Statistics (ONS) is carrying out this study, which covers a range of topics. These include work, retirement, unemployment and looking after the family or home.
Getting data from as many households as possible is the only way we can get a complete picture of the nation's employment status and other circumstances.
By taking part, you ensure that your experiences and circumstances are counted. This is important as it helps to show the bigger picture of life in the UK today. It also helps to shape policies, which affect everyone. Your help is needed to make this study successful.
Who are ONS?
ONS is the UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics, and is the recognised national statistics institute of the UK. ONS’s main responsibilities are collecting, analysing and publishing statistics about the UK's economy, society and population.
Who is conducting the study?
ONS has commissioned a third party, Ipsos MORI, to carry out the data collection and data processing aspects of this UK-wide online study, however, ONS will receive all data collected and remain in control of all responses given by all study participants.
Who designed the study?
The questionnaire was designed by ONS, in conjunction with the independent research agency Ipsos MORI.
Who are Ipsos MORI?
Ipsos MORI is a registered and independent study organisation and strictly adheres to the Market Research Society's ethical code of conduct.
Ipsos UK and MORI, who you may have heard of separately, merged in October 2005 to form the second-largest research organisation in the UK.
Ipsos MORI was awarded the new International Process Standard ISO 20252 and the International Standard for Information Security ISO 27001 by the accredited assessment body Marketing Quality Assurance (MQA), the first study agency in the world to achieve both of these standards.
More information can be found on the Ipsos MORI website.
Taking part in the study
To represent our whole society, we need to talk to all types of people.
Instead of asking everyone to take part in our studies, we invite a sample of individuals or households to represent different groups of people.
Whoever you are, whatever you do, we want to hear from you.
Can I take a break part way through?
Yes, your progress saves automatically when completing the study. You can close the browser window containing the study whenever you like – your progress will be saved. When you're ready to continue filling in the study, return to the study login page (www.ons.gov.uk/takepart). Sign in with the same access code and you'll be returned to where you left off.
When do I need to complete the study by?
Your household should aim to complete the study by the date indicated on your invitation letter.
Will this study collect information about/from children?
This study collects information about all members of your household. Please include everyone who is living in your household. There will be fewer questions for those aged 15 years and under. An adult should complete the questions on behalf of anyone aged 15 years or younger.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Completing all the questions should take around 15 minutes. Each question is about facts, not opinions. Please answer as many questions as you can to ensure that your experiences and circumstances are counted.
Answering the questions is voluntary. If you don’t want to answer some or any of the questions, you do not have to.
I am the only person in my household, should I complete the study?
Yes. Households are chosen at random to take part in this study and cannot be replaced. So, it is important for you to take part if you feel able to.
There is more than one person in my household but we only have one access code
Everyone living in your household should take part in the study using the same access code. The first person to enter will be asked some questions about the people who live in the household. There will then be a section of questions just for them. Following this, other members of the household aged 16 years or over can enter using the same web link and access code. They will then select their name to complete their section.
Can I complete the study in Welsh?
Yes, the study is available in Welsh. You will be able to choose to complete the study in Welsh at the start.
Can I complete the study in another language?
Currently, the study is only available in English and in Welsh.
Can I complete the study on behalf of someone in my household?
Where possible, each member of the household should complete their own section of the study. This is because there are some detailed questions about their circumstances. If they are away or they would like you to complete their section for them, you may do so. So, it is important that everyone in your household sees the letters and leaflets that we send you.
Please remember that the answers should only be about them. If any member of the household is 15 years old or younger, an adult should complete the study on their behalf.
Can I help someone fill in their study?
It is fine to help someone in your household to answer their questions, but please remember that the answers should only be about them.
How can I tell whether my answers have been successfully submitted?
Access the study again using the household access code that you submitted your answers with. If everyone in your household has successfully submitted their answers you will see a page saying the study is complete.
If the study is incomplete you will see a page with the names of everyone in your household. You will be able to see who has completed their answers and who needs to finish. There is a submit button at the end that needs to be selected once all the answers have been completed.
Alternatively, you can call for free on 0800 085 7376 to check the status of your study.