Social participation and the environment

What does the survey entail?

Purpose

The survey consists of two parts. The first part focuses on changing perceptions regarding problems that can occur in areas where people live, such as noise pollution and other types of nuisance, and on pro-environmental behaviours. The second part focuses on identifying trends in social participation.

Target population

Individuals aged 15 years and over living in private households. Only participants aged 18 years and over are presented with the survey questions regarding environmental problems, environmental behaviours and voluntary work.

Statistical unit

Individuals.

Start of survey

The survey was first conducted in 2005. It is a continuation of the modules on Legal Protection and Participation and Legal Protection and Environment that were part of the Permanent Living Conditions Survey (which was carried out between 1997 and 2008).

Frequency

Every year.

Publication strategy

Definite figures.

How is the survey conducted?

Survey type

Sample survey.

Data collection method

Interviews by telephone (computer-assisted telephone interviewing, CATI).

Respondents

Individuals living in private households.

Sample size

The net sample size is approximately 4,000 individuals each year.

Checking and correction methods

All data are checked annually by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) for plausibility, completeness and consistency.

Weighting

Differences between the composition of the sample and the population as a whole are corrected using a weighting factor based on gender, age, origin, marital status, geographical location, and household size.

Quality of the results

Accuracy

The survey is conducted using a sample, which means there is a margin of error. Figures are not shown if the number of respondents in a classification category is lower than 100, because the margin of error is too large.

Sequential comparability

A change in the data collection method has led to method breaks. These have been remedied for a number of variables.