Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey

An omnibus survey is a survey which carries a number of different questions for various clients.

Details of the Survey

The number of clients on each survey ranges from 4 to 10. The number of questions each client asks varies from 3 to 30. Each survey on average takes 45 minutes.

Methodology

The sample for the Omnibus survey consists of a systematic random sample of addresses selected from the Pointer database of private addresses. This is the most up-to-date listing of private households and is made available to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency for research purposes. People living in institutions (though not in private households in such institutions) are excluded. A total of 2,200 addresses are selected for interview.

The Pointer database provides a good sampling frame of addresses, but contains no information about the number of people living at an address. Further selection stages were therefore required to convert the listing of addresses to a listing of individuals from which one person (the ‘selected respondent’) is chosen to complete the questionnaire.

The interviewers list all members of the household who are eligible for inclusion in the sample: that is, all persons currently aged 16 or over living at the address. From this listing of eligible adults, the interviewer's computer randomly selects one adult. This person, the selected respondent, is then asked to complete the interview.

Questionnaire

There are two parts to the questionnaire:

  1. The household section -  This is the core element which will remain the same from survey to survey.
  2. The selected respondent section - This is the variable element which will change from survey to survey depending on client needs

The core information for each survey includes:

  • Age and tenure of accommodation
  • Household composition (i.e. household grid)

These are to be asked of a responsible adult. The selected respondent completes the clients’ modules. We also collect details of employment, education, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and income from the selected respondent.

Results / Publications

The commissioning bodies are the owners of the data produced. NISRA CSU does not publish results from the Omnibus Survey. Some examples of modules which have been published are:

Public awareness and attitudes towards electric cars

This Public awareness of and attitudes towards electric cars September 2012 report was published by the Central Statistics and Research Branch of the Department for Regional Development (DRD).

Public perception of safety on public transport

This Public perception of safety on public transport January 2013 report was published by the Central Statistics and Research Branch of the Department for Regional Development (DRD).

Cycling in Northern Ireland

This Cycling in Northern Ireland May 2015 report was published by the Central Statistics and Research Branch of the Department for Regional Development (DRD).

Public awareness of Travelwise NI initiatives

These reports were published by the Central Statistics and Research Branch of the Department for Regional Development (DRD).

Contacts

Name: Barbara Muldoon

Telephone: 02890 255093

Email: barbara.muldoon@nisra.gov.uk

Central Survey Unit

About the Central Survey Unit