Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Continuous Household Survey (CHS) is one of the largest continuous surveys carried out in Northern Ireland. The survey is designed, conducted and analysed by the Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). It is based on a sample of the general population resident in private households and has been running since 1983. The Survey is designed to provide a regular source of information on a wide range of social and economic issues relevant to Northern Ireland. The CHS is an important source of information in Northern Ireland and is used by many Government departments and Agencies. Regular clients include the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Culture Arts and Leisure, Regional Developments, Environment, Education, Employment and Learning and NISRA. Further information about the series, including methodology, may be found on the NISRA Central Survey Unit (CSU) Continuous Household Survey web pages.

Main Topics:

The main topics covered in the 2005-2006 survey included demographic, personal and family information, employment, education, health, smoking, drinking, income, eyesight and hearing in the elderly, mobility, child day care, accidents, and sport and cultural/social capital. Some of the questions are based on those asked in the GHS.

Multi-stage stratified random sample

The sample is drawn as a simple random sample from three strata. The first of these strata is the Belfast District Council area. The other two are formed by dividing the remainder of the province into East and West along district council boundaries. Within each of these strata a simple random sample of addresses is drawn, with size proportional to the distribution of domestic addresses on the rating list.

Face-to-face interview