National Academies Press: OpenBook

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

Chapter: Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey

« Previous: Appendix D: Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Social Cohesion Content of U.S. Surveys
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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.
×

Appendix E

November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey

The CPS Supplement questionnaire excerpt, reproduced below, along with full technical documentation for the survey can be found at: http://www.census.gov/prod/techdoc/cps/cpsnov11.pdf [August 2014].

Questionnaire (Attachment 8)

PRESUP 2 The next set of questions are about people’s involvement and communication within their communities.
NXTPR I (also) need to talk to (fill name/read list of needed persons). Is he/she at home now/Are either of them at home now/Are any of them at home now?
S1 The first question is about LOCAL elections, such as for mayor or a school board. (Do you/Does NAME) always vote in local elections, (do you/does he/does she) sometimes vote, (do you/does he/does she) rarely vote, or (do you/does he/does she) never vote?
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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.
×
  1. (1) Always vote
  2. (2) Sometimes vote
  3. (3) Rarely vote
  4. (4) Never vote
S2 I am going to read a list of some things people have done to express their views. Please tell me whether or not (you have/NAME has) done any of the following in the last 12 months, that is since November 2010:
  1. (a) Contacted or visited a public official—at any level of government—to express (your/his/her) opinion?
    1. (1) Yes
    2. (2) No
  2. (b) Bought or boycotted a certain product or service because of the social or political values of the company that provides it?
    1. (1) Yes
    2. (2) No
S3 How often, if at all, (have you/has NAME) used the Internet to express (your/his/her) opinions about POLITICAL or COMMUNITY issues within the last 12 months—basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, less than once a month, or not at all?
  1. (1) Basically every day
  2. (2) A few times a week
  3. (3) A few times a month
  4. (4) Once a month
  5. (5) Less than once a month
  6. (6) Not at all
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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.
×
S5 Next, I will give you a list of types of groups or organizations in which people sometimes participate. (Have you/Has NAME) participated in any of these groups during the last 12 months, that is since November 2010:
  1. (a) A school group, neighborhood, or community association, such as PTA or neighborhood watch group?
    1. (1) Yes
    2. (2) No
  2. (b) A service or civic organization, such as American Legion or Lions Club?
    1. (1) Yes
    2. (2) No
  3. (c) A sports or recreation organization, such as a soccer club or tennis club?
    1. (1) Yes
    2. (2) No
  4. (d) A church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious institution or organization, NOT COUNTING (your/his/her) attendance at religious services?
    1. (1) Yes
    2. (2) No
  5. (e) Any other type of organization that I have not mentioned?
    1. (1) Yes
    2. (2) No
S6s What type of organization is that?
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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.
×
S7 In the last 12 months, that is since November 2010, (have you/has NAME) served on a committee or as an officer of any group or organization?
  1. (1) Yes
  2. (2) No
S11 These next questions ask how often (you/NAME) did something during a TYPICAL MONTH in the last 12 months, that is since November 2010. How often did (you/NAME) discuss politics with family or friends—basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, less than once a month, or not at all?
  1. (1) Basically every day
  2. (2) A few times a week
  3. (3) A few times a month
  4. (4) Once a month
  5. (5) Less than once a month
  6. (6) Not at all
DO NOT ASK OF 1-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS
S12 How often did (you/NAME) eat dinner with any of the other members of (your/his/her) household—basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, less than once a month, or not at all?
  1. (1) Basically every day
  2. (2) A few times a week
  3. (3) A few times a month
  4. (4) Once a month
  5. (5) Less than once a month
  6. (6) Not at all
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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.
×
S13 This next question is about friends and family (you do/NAME does) not live with.
During the last 12 months, how often did (you/NAME) see or hear from friends or family, whether in-person or not—basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, less than once a month, or not at all?
  1. (1) Basically every day
  2. (2) A few times a week
  3. (3) A few times a month
  4. (4) Once a month
  5. (5) Less than once a month
  6. (6) Not at all
S15 How often did (you/NAME) talk with any or (your/his/her) neighbors—basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, less than once a month, or not at all?
  1. (1) Basically every day
  2. (2) A few times a week
  3. (3) A few times a month
  4. (4) Once a month
  5. (5) Less than once a month
  6. (6) Not at all
S16 How often did (you/NAME) and (your/his/her) neighbors do favors for each other? By favors, we mean such things as watching each others children, helping with shopping, house sitting, lending garden or house tools and other small things to help each other—basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, less than once a month, or not at all?
  1. (1) Basically every day
  2. (2) A few times a week
  3. (3) A few times a month
  4. (4) Once a month
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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.
×
  1. (5) Less than once a month
  2. (6) Not at all
NOTE: Do not ask of proxy respondents.
S18 We’d like to know how much you trust people in your neighborhood. Generally speaking, would you say that you can trust all the people, most of the people, some of the people, or none of the people in your neighborhood?
  1. (1) All the people
  2. (2) Most of the people
  3. (3) Some of the people
  4. (4) None of the people
NOTE: Do not ask of proxy respondents.
S21 I am going to name some institutions in this country. For each of these institutions, would you say you have a great deal of confidence, only some confidence, hardly any confidence, or no confidence at all in them to do what is right?
  1. (a) Corporations
    1. (1) A great deal of confidence
    2. (2) Some confidence
    3. (3) Hardly any confidence
    4. (4) No confidence at all
  2. (b) The media
    1. (1) A great deal of confidence
    2. (2) Some confidence
    3. (3) Hardly any confidence
    4. (4) No confidence at all
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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.
×
  1. (c) Public schools
    1. (1) A great deal of confidence
    2. (2) Some confidence
    3. (3) Hardly and confidence
    4. (4) No confidence at all
SCK5 ***DO NOT READ TO RESPONDENT***
Who reported for this person?
  1. (a) Self
  2. (b) Other
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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.
×

This page intentionally left blank.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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 169
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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 170
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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 171
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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 172
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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 173
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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 174
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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 175
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: November 2011 Civic Engagement Supplement to the Current Population Survey." 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 176
Next: Appendix F: Biographical Sketches of Panel Members »
Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: Measuring Dimensions of Social Capital to Inform Policy Get This Book
×
Buy Paperback | $54.00 Buy Ebook | $43.99
MyNAP members save 10% online.
Login or Register to save!
Download Free PDF

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.

  1. ×

    Welcome to OpenBook!

    You're looking at OpenBook, NAP.edu's online reading room since 1999. Based on feedback from you, our users, we've made some improvements that make it easier than ever to read thousands of publications on our website.

    Do you want to take a quick tour of the OpenBook's features?

    No Thanks Take a Tour »
  2. ×

    Show this book's table of contents, where you can jump to any chapter by name.

    « Back Next »
  3. ×

    ...or use these buttons to go back to the previous chapter or skip to the next one.

    « Back Next »
  4. ×

    Jump up to the previous page or down to the next one. Also, you can type in a page number and press Enter to go directly to that page in the book.

    « Back Next »
  5. ×

    Switch between the Original Pages, where you can read the report as it appeared in print, and Text Pages for the web version, where you can highlight and search the text.

    « Back Next »
  6. ×

    To search the entire text of this book, type in your search term here and press Enter.

    « Back Next »
  7. ×

    Share a link to this book page on your preferred social network or via email.

    « Back Next »
  8. ×

    View our suggested citation for this chapter.

    « Back Next »
  9. ×

    Ready to take your reading offline? Click here to buy this book in print or download it as a free PDF, if available.

    « Back Next »
Stay Connected!