Secondary data

Relevance: A-Level

Case study: 2011 UK census

Topic: Geographical skills

To understand what is meant by ‘secondary data’

To illustrate how and when secondary data can aid geographical research

To outline the strengths and limitations of secondary data

Lesson aims

Defining secondary data

Data that is collected by someone other than the user of that data

Includes: census data, housing records, attendance figures…

UK populationdistribution

The UK census gives us unique geographical insight

What does this map show in relation to population density?

Data source: 2011 UK Census

True or false?

1. There are almost a million more women than men in the UK

2. Eden (a part of Cumbria) has the lowest population density in England and Wales

3. Manchester experienced the greatest percentage population growth outside London between 2001 and 2011

4. Kensington and Chelsea is one of only four local authority areas in England and Wales to have a declining population size.

5. The number of households in Tower Hamlets rose by is 28% between 2001 and 2011

Using secondary data

Primary data collection is costly and labour intensive

Secondary data is often available in large quantities

Often used as background information before collecting primary data

Provides information about a time or place that a researcher cannot access

Ever 10 years it is a count of the total population and records its characteristics, such as: AgeGenderEmploymentHealthHousing Transport

The UK census

Data is geographically located, allowing spatial comparisons.

Countries (England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland) Regions (9 in total, e.g.: North East & West Midlands) Counties (36 in total, e.g.: Essex, North Yorkshire) Districts, boroughs and local authorities (local government) Electoral Wards (average of 6,000 residents) Lower Super Output Areas (average of 1,500 residents) Output Areas (Average of 300 residents)

Scales of UK census

Largest

Smallest

Carried out every 10 years since 1801, most recently in 2011

Each household in the UK receives a questionnaire in the post. Submitted either online or by post.

Eastern European countries carry out interviews rather than questionnaires.

UK census methodology

Data helps us understand the UK population, which is always changing

It is used by government, businesses, academics and NGOs

Helps in large-scale planning, e.g.: Population count helps govt. allows

distribute funds to local authorities Data on long-term illness and carers

helps plan social services

Using census data

Need to establish reliability and accuracy of data source

It only represents one moment in time Not all people may be accounted for People may not tell the truth Data may be biased Researchers rely on the questions

asked by the original survey

Limitations of secondary data

Misleading data? = 1000 people

176,632 people claimed to be ‘Jedi Knights’ in the 2011 UK census. This highlights possible limitations associated with self-defining categories

Defining religion

Question 20 on the 2011 UK census asked: ‘What is your religion’

This is a voluntary question

By answering the closed question with ‘Any other religion’, participants are able to answer an open question and define their own religion

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/interactive/2012/dec/13/census-2011-truth-where-you-live-interactive

Are there any surprising figures?

Can you explain some of the more major changes?

Your local area

Plenary

1. There are almost a million more women than men in the UK

2. Eden (a part of Cumbria) has the lowest population density in England and Wales

3. Manchester experienced the greatest percentage population growth outside London between 2001 and 2011

4. Kensington and Chelsea is one of only four local authority areas in England and Wales to have a declining population size

5. The number of households in Tower Hamlets rose by is 28% between 2001 and 2011

True

True

True

True

True

Plenary

Evaluate five claims made by the 2011 UK census on the previous slide

What explanations can we provide for each statement? Use your knowledge of:Geographical processes Limitations of secondary data

Geography in the News

This resource is available from: www.geographyinthenews.rgs.org

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