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Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy (2014)

Chapter: Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
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Appendix D

Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys

As discussed in Chapter 4, a number of government surveys include content related to social capital, civic engagement, and social cohesion. In that chapter, the panel recommends a systematic review of the content of, and overlap in, federal surveys in areas related to social capital measurement. The following table provides additional details to Table 4-1 in Chapter 4.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
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Details of Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of Major U.S. Surveys

  Questionnaire Content
Survey Voting Other Political Engagement Volunteering Charitable Giving
CPS
 
CPS Civic Engagement Supplement
 
CPS Volunteer Supplement  
 
CPS Voting and Registration Supplement      
 
NCVS
 
NHES
 
Civic Involvement
 
ATUS    
generic
 
 
AHS (NSCM)  
contact with local politicians
✓ generic
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
Organizational Membership and/or Participation Contact with Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Networks Neighborhood Characteristics/Sense of Community Trust/Confidence (e.g., in neighbors, government, law enforcement, corporations, schools, media) Fairness, Polarization, and Integration

union membership

cohabitation
     
 
 
 
     
 
         
 
   
perceived safety of neighborhood

trust in law enforcement
 
 
 
religious services, amount of time spent with other people, caring for children/elderly
     
 

opinion of neighborhood

neighbors

neighborhood cohesion
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
  Questionnaire Content
Survey Voting Other Political Engagement Volunteering Charitable Giving
HRS      
 
NLSY97
interest in government and public affairs/social activism activities, attendance at meeting or event for a political, environmental, or community group

volunteer activities
 
NLSY79  
political attitudes

volunteerism/philanthropy

recently introduced
 
NLSY79 Child & Young Adult  
political attitudes and behaviors

full range
 
 
NLS Sample Adult Core      
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
Organizational Membership and/or Participation Contact with Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Networks Neighborhood Characteristics/Sense of Community Trust/Confidence (e.g., in neighbors, government, law enforcement, corporations, schools, media) Fairness, Polarization, and Integration
 
frequency/duration of contact with children, friends, neighbors, care of grandchildren

safety, cleanliness

friends, neighbors

attitudinal
 

frequency/importance of family events and holidays; frequency of contact between parents, level of friendliness and hostility
 
perception of criminal justice system

opinions on government responsibility
 

religious affiliation, frequency of attendance

attitudinal
     
 

religious affiliation, frequency of attendance
 
extent of neighborhood problems/characteristics
   
 
   
neighbors
 
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
  Questionnaire Content
Survey Voting Other Political Engagement Volunteering Charitable Giving
 
PSID      
 
PSID Disability and Use of Time Supplement        
 
PSID Transition into Adulthood Supplement  
 
GSS 2012
basic

extent of political engagement and knowledge, protest involvement

blood donation, money to homeless, charity, issue-based
 
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
Organizational Membership and/or Participation Contact with Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Networks Neighborhood Characteristics/Sense of Community Trust/Confidence (e.g., in neighbors, government, law enforcement, corporations, schools, media) Fairness, Polarization, and Integration
 
✓ religion
 
 

clubs, groups and religion

characteristics of social network
 
perceptions/experiences, belonging

perceptions and experiences, belonging
 

religious affiliation/attendance, union membership,

neighbors, friends, racial tolerance, look after neighbor’s house, lending, caring for or helping neighbors, job assistance, attendance at artistic events with friends/family

race, frequency of interactions with neighbors, safety

trust in others, companies, religion, federal government/agencies, labor unions, press, Supreme Court, congress; use of force by police; health system

budgetary priorities, role of government in addressing income inequality/living standards, tolerance/intolerance of racial, religious, and political differences, affirmative action/fairness (race/gender), workplace fairness, helping strangers, importance of religious/ethnic customs, educational and health opportunities
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
  Questionnaire Content
Survey Voting Other Political Engagement Volunteering Charitable Giving
ANES pre-election
political engagement with news from TV/Internet/newspaper, social media, blogs
 
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
Organizational Membership and/or Participation Contact with Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Networks Neighborhood Characteristics/Sense of Community Trust/Confidence (e.g., in neighbors, government, law enforcement, corporations, schools, media) Fairness, Polarization, and Integration

political party, religion
   
trust in elected officials, parties, general role of government, other people

attitudes about political parties/government/economy, polarization, income gap, fairness of political contributions
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
  Questionnaire Content
Survey Voting Other Political Engagement Volunteering Charitable Giving
ANES post-election
engagement with campaign coverage/candidates/speeches; visit candidate’s Website; meeting or rally participation, past protest involvement, signed petitions, social media, contact representatives
 
candidates or parties, religious, school, or issue-based donations
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
Organizational Membership and/or Participation Contact with Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Networks Neighborhood Characteristics/Sense of Community Trust/Confidence (e.g., in neighbors, government, law enforcement, corporations, schools, media) Fairness, Polarization, and Integration

numbers of and names of organizations

discuss politics w/friends/family, frequency; worked in community, candidate advocacy
 
feelings about religious groups, federal government, specific socioeconomic groups, role of security post-9/11, state nullification, role of Supreme Court, government corruption

most important problem facing country, feelings of patriotism, taxing millionaires, affirmative action, role and size of government, life affected by specific racial/gender groups, views of traditional v. new lifestyles, fairness of voting and press, discrimination v. women, affirmative action, equality, satisfaction with democracy, feel threatened by federal government, bilingual capabilities, feelings/sentiments toward ethnic groups, income inequality, discrimination
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
  Questionnaire Content
Survey Voting Other Political Engagement Volunteering Charitable Giving
SCCBS 2000
interest in politics/national affairs, attend rallies/protests, reform movements, online chats/forums, town meetings

donated blood, amount to religious/nonreligious organizations
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
Organizational Membership and/or Participation Contact with Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Networks Neighborhood Characteristics/Sense of Community Trust/Confidence (e.g., in neighbors, government, law enforcement, corporations, schools, media) Fairness, Polarization, and Integration

religious affiliation, attendance, adult/youth sports w/frequency, school service, vets groups, neighborhood associations, social welfare organizations, union, trade associations, fraternal/ethnic organizations, PACS, hobby club, officer status, ethnic/gender makeup

sense of community/belonging, number of close friends, frequency of group activities, visiting family/friends, socialize with neighbors/coworkers

sense of community/belonging, frequency of interaction w/neighbors, trustworthiness, satisfaction, civic power, obstacles to involvement, attend community events

trust in neighbors, coworkers, media, local businesses/police, various races, local/national government

racial tolerance in marriage/friends
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
  Questionnaire Content
Survey Voting Other Political Engagement Volunteering Charitable Giving
SCCS 2006
interest in politics/national affairs, attend rallies/protests

donated blood, amount to religious and nonreligious organizations
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
Organizational Membership and/or Participation Contact with Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Networks Neighborhood Characteristics/Sense of Community Trust/Confidence (e.g., in neighbors, government, law enforcement, corporations, schools, media) Fairness, Polarization, and Integration

religious affiliations attendance; adult/youth sports w/frequency; school service; veterans groups; neighborhood associations; social welfare organizations; union/trade associations; fraternal/ethnic organizations; PACS; hobby club

sense of self with regard to town, “Americanness”, tenure in community/likely to stay; racial makeup of social network; frequency of group activities; visiting family/friends; socialize with neighbors/coworkers

sense of self with regard to town, “Americanness”, frequency of interaction with neighbors, trustworthiness, satisfaction, civic power, racial tolerance, attend at community events

trust in neighbors/strangers, coworkers, media, local businesses/police, various races, local/national government, will you be victim of a crime, “hot/cold” questions, ethnic groups/economic status

budget priorities, Hurricane Katrina-related questions about evacuees, racial tolerance in marriage/friends
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
  Questionnaire Content
Survey Voting Other Political Engagement Volunteering Charitable Giving
Giving & Volunteering in the United States  
type/frequency/name of organization; why volunteered?; Internet volunteer; attitudes

religion, youth development, education, health, human services, animal welfare, environment, adult recreation, arts, social/political organization, political campaign, private company foundations, international aid, friends

NOTES: A check in a cell indicates that a particular survey includes content in the identified topic area.
AHS, American Housing Survey, (NCSM, Neighborhood Social Capital Module); ANES, American National Election Studies; ATUS, American Time Use Survey; GSS, General Social Survey; NHES, National Household Education Surveys Program; NCVS, National Crime Victimization Survey; NLSY79, National Longitudinal Surveys [1979 wave]; PSID, Panel Study of Income Dynamics; SCBS, Social Capital Benchmark Survey; SCCS, Social Capital Community Survey.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
Organizational Membership and/or Participation Contact with Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Networks Neighborhood Characteristics/Sense of Community Trust/Confidence (e.g., in neighbors, government, law enforcement, corporations, schools, media) Fairness, Polarization, and Integration

religious membership, service organizations

unorganized volunteering, friends/family/neighbors/strangers; proxy questions for family members
 
confidence in charitable organizations, political parties, congress, organization labor, corporations, media, Web, federal/state/local government, religions; general trust

government responsibility for citizens, government should give to faith-based groups
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
Page 166
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys." National Research Council. 2014. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18831.
×
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People's bonds, associations and networks - as well as the civil, political, and institutional characteristics of the society in which they live - can be powerful drivers affecting the quality of life among a community's, a city's, or a nation's inhabitants and their ability to achieve both individual and societal goals. Civic engagement, social cohesion, and other dimensions of social capital affect social, economic and health outcomes for individuals and communities. Can these be measured, and can federal surveys contribute toward this end? Can this information be collected elsewhere, and if so, how should it be collected?

Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion identifies measurement approaches that can lead to improved understanding of civic engagement, social cohesion, and social capital - and their potential role in explaining the functioning of society. With the needs of data users in mind, this report examines conceptual frameworks developed in the literature to determine promising measures and measurement methods for informing public policy discourse. The report identifies working definitions of key terms; advises on the feasibility and specifications of indicators relevant to analyses of social, economic, and health domains; and assesses the strength of the evidence regarding the relationship between these indicators and observed trends in crime, employment, and resilience to shocks such as natural disasters. Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion weighs the relative merits of surveys, administrative records, and non-government data sources, and considers the appropriate role of the federal statistical system. This report makes recommendations to improve the measurement of civic health through population surveys conducted by the government and identifies priority areas for research, development, and implementation.

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