The School Leavers' Survey is a long-running study, conducted by the ESRI and funded by the Department of Education, which examines young peoples' experiences while at school and their experiences of the transition from second-level education to labour force participation, further education, or economic inactivity. This survey was carried out in Autumn 1998 by the ESRI on behalf of the Department of Enterprise and Employment. Respondants left school between September 1996 and August 1997 (inclusive).

Probability: Stratified. Two stage, random stratified design was used, with selection of schools at the first stage and pupils from the selected schools in the second stage. The schools were then requested to provide the contact details for the selected students.

Face-to-face interview