28 January 2013

The second full set of data from the Understanding Society survey has been released, marking a milestone in the extensive longitudinal research project covering 30,500 households, including 54,600 adults and 5,000 children.

The second 'wave' includes new questions about health-related behaviours, such as exercise, nutrition and alcohol consumption, as well as more detailed questions about people’ work conditions, their sense of identity, volunteering and charitable giving and participation in sport and cultural activities.

"With Waves 1 and 2 of the survey available to researchers, the serious business of longitudinal research can now begin. Now the survey can be looked at in earnest to see how people’s circumstances and views have changed from one year to the next," says Understanding Society's Director Professor Nick Buck in a press release.

Understanding Society interviews all household members aged 10 and over on a yearly basis. Wave 2 interviews were carried out in 2010-2011.

Statistics show that there have been 1683 downloads of survey data since the previous Wave 1 data release in 2011 - a number that is set to increase with the new set of data offering the possibility to look at trends.

The Understanding Society survey also includes an ethnic minority 'boost sample' which provides extra information in this area by interviewing some 6000 adults from different minority backgrounds. With the second wave of data it has now become the first UK survey where it's possible to trace year-on-year change across ethnic groups.

The release of Wave 2 is also marked with the launch of Understanding Society's new website at http://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk. The new site aims to provide easily accessible information for the survey’s target audiences, and includes guides on some of the key features of the survey, a new podcast series and a comprehensive search facility.

• More about Understanding Society
• Understanding Society website