The British Household Panel Survey started in 1991 and followed the same representative sample of individuals over 18 years. In 2009, BHPS participants were asked if they would consider joining the new, larger and more wide-ranging survey Understanding Society.
Our latest data release features seven waves of Understanding Society data, plus eighteen waves of Understanding Society harmonised British Household Panel Survey data. All of the data can be downloaded via the UK Data Service.
- Read the Understanding Society Mainstage (waves 1-7) – User Guide
- Read the Understanding Society BHPS – Harmonised User Guide
What else features in the Wave 7 data release?
- Main survey: Most modules in Wave 7 appeared in previous waves, however there are a number of new modules, including questions on health service use, young adult and parental higher education expectations, and questions about poverty. All modules can be seen in the Long Term Content Plan
- Young adult questionnaire content: Since Wave 2, participants aged 16-21 years old answer additional questions in the Main Survey that are tailored for young adults. In this data release rotating modules on education, bullying at school and future intentions are repeated so that researchers can examine change from Waves 3 and 5. Read all of the young adults questionnaires modules.
- Youth questionnaire modules: Participants aged 10-15 years old complete a paper questionnaire every wave which takes 30 minutes to complete. The youth self-completion questionnaire was the same as used at Wave 5. The youth self-completion questionnaire includes questions on family life, friends, bullying, happiness, education, health and political attitudes. Read the youth questionaire (10-15 year olds)
- Immigrant and Ethnic Minority Boost: In the Understanding Society interview, the Immigrant and Ethnic Minority Boost Sample are asked an extra five minutes of questions which are relevant to the experiences of ethnic minorities and immigrants.
Resources for researchers
- Download waves 1-7 from the UK Data Service
- Data and documentation
- Training courses
- Innovation Panel
- Publications search
- Sign up to receive our quarterly newsletter
- Ask a question on the User Forum
- Follow us on Twitter or Facebook
Do you use Understanding Society data?
To ensure your research is recorded in our publications archive, please fill in this form. All Understanding Society research is considered for case studies, policy events and publications such as our annual findings report, Insights.
EducationEmploymentFamily and householdsHealth and wellbeingIncome and expenditurePolitics and social attitudesSocial mobilitySurvey methodologyTransport and environment
