Background to the Research

• The chapters in this book are based mainly on data collected by the 1998 and 1999 Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) surveys. Some chapters also use time-series data collected by the NILT predecessor - the Northern Ireland Social Attitudes (NISA) survey.

Research Approach

• The NILT survey began in 1998 and runs annually.
• Each year, interviews are carried out with a random selection of adults (aged 18 years and over) who live in private households in Northern Ireland (NI). The full sample size is around 1,800 respondents - although some modules are asked of only half the sample.
  
• The sample is drawn using the Valuation and Lands Agency list.
  
• Fieldwork is undertaken using Computer Assisted Interviewing and a self-completion questionnaire.
• The NISA surveys ran annually from 1989 to 1996 and interviews were carried out with a random sample of around 800 adults (aged 18 years and over) who lived in private households in NI.

Contents