Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (formerly known as the ONS Opinions Survey or Omnibus) is an omnibus survey that began in 1990, collecting data on a range of subjects commissioned by both the ONS internally and external clients (limited to other government departments, charities, non-profit organisations and academia).Data are collected from one individual aged 16 or over, selected from each sampled private household. Personal data include data on the individual, their family, address, household, income and education, plus responses and opinions on a variety of subjects within commissioned modules. The questionnaire collects timely data for research and policy analysis evaluation on the social impacts of recent topics of national importance, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the cost of living, on individuals and households in Great Britain. From April 2018 to November 2019, the design of the OPN changed from face-to-face to a mixed-mode design (online first with telephone interviewing where necessary). Mixed-mode collection allows respondents to complete the survey more flexibly and provides a more cost-effective service for customers. In March 2020, the OPN was adapted to become a weekly survey used to collect data on the social impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the lives of people of Great Britain. These data are held in the Secure Access study, SN 8635, ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Covid-19 Module, 2020-2022: Secure Access. From August 2021, as coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions were lifting across Great Britain, the OPN moved to fortnightly data collection, sampling around 5,000 households in each survey wave to ensure the survey remains sustainable. The OPN has since expanded to include questions on other topics of national importance, such as health and the cost of living. For more information about the survey and its methodology, see the ONS OPN Quality and Methodology Information webpage.Secure Access Opinions and Lifestyle Survey dataOther Secure Access OPN data cover modules run at various points from 1997-2019, on Census religion (SN 8078), cervical cancer screening (SN 8080), contact after separation (SN 8089), contraception (SN 8095), disability (SNs 8680 and 8096), general lifestyle (SN 8092), illness and activity (SN 8094), and non-resident parental contact (SN 8093). See Opinions and Lifestyle Survey: Secure Access for details.
Main Topics:Each month's questionnaire consists of two elements: core questions, covering demographic information, are asked each month together with non-core questions that vary from month to month.
The non-core questions for this month were: Consumer Durables (Module BDurab): this module contains questions about consumer durables that are either owned by the household or available for use in the respondent's accommodation. Expectation of House Price Changes (Module 137): this module asks respondents' views on changes to house prices in the next year and next five years. Food Safety (Module 214): this module is concerned with food safety in relation to food preparation in the home and food poisoning. It aims to assess awareness of safe preparation of food and actual habits and also whether or not behaviour has changed in light of recent food safety information and food poisoning scares. Use of Computers and the Internet (Module 215): this module was asked on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry and covers access to personal computers, at home or at work; access to the internet; access to online services and use of CD-ROM. Alcohol and Coronary Heart Disease (Module 216): this module was asked on behalf of the Health Education Authority and covers respondents awareness of the ways in which alcohol can both benefit health and be a health risk. Contributory Benefits (Module 217): this module was asked on behalf of the Department of Social Security and covers social security benefits; respondents' beliefs about contributory benefits; attitudes to entitlement; attitudes to the way rights to contributory benefits are built up. Lone Parents (Module 184): this module was asked on behalf of the Department of Social Security. The questions were taken from a British Attitudes Survey and compare attitudes towards mothers living in couples with children of varying ages with attitudes towards lone mothers. Contraception (Module 170): the Special Licence version of this module is held under SN 6476. Sexual Health (Module 218): this module was asked on behalf of the Health Education Authority and covers awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases; attitudes to discrimination.
Multi-stage stratified random sample
Face-to-face interview
