Scottish Election Study, 1979

UKDA study number:1604

Principal Investigators

Miller, W.L.
Brand, J.A.
University of Strathclyde. Department of Politics

Data Collector

Research Services Limited

Sponsor

Economic and Social Research Council

Distributed by

UK Data Archive, University of Essex, Colchester.

Bibliographic Citation

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Miller, W.L. and Brand, J.A., Scottish Election Study, 1979 [computer file]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive [distributor], 1981. SN: 1604, http://dx.doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-1604-1

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1604 . Scottish Election Study, 1979

Depositor:

Miller, W.L. , University of Strathclyde. Department of Politics

Principal Investigators:

Miller, W.L. , University of Strathclyde. Department of Politics

Brand, J.A. , University of Strathclyde. Department of Politics

Data Collector:

Research Services Limited

Sponsor:

Economic and Social Research Council

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to survey political attitudes in Scotland at the time of the May 3rd 1979 parliamentary election.

Main Topics:

Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions
Attitude to recent changes taking place in Britain, e.g. sexual equality/racial equality/welfare benefits/ abortion/defence cuts, whether Government ought to introduce measures such as worker participation/cutting taxes/redistribution of income and wealth/wighdrawal of troops from N. Ireland. Perception of good and bad aspects of Conservative Party/Labour Party/SNP. Knowledge of party leaders, degree of interest in politics. Opinion of each party's handling of certain issues, e.g. rising prices, unemployment, North Sea oil. Future prospects for the economy/unemployment/own income. Opinion of trade unions and big business, whether any member of the household is/was a trade union member, if so - details, degree of interest in union activities. Opinion of way in which wages and salaries should be settled, relative position of salary of household's chief wage earner, which party's policies preferred. Degree of trust respondent would place in governments of different parties on various issues, e.g. Scottish affairs. Attitude to certain forms of political action, e.g. demonstrations, petitions, damaging property. Marks out of ten for parties and leading politicians. Whether voted in 1979 Election, for which party, alternative vote if chosen candidate had not been standing, vote in 1974 (February and October) and 1970 Elections. Party identification, main reasons for voting for a particular party (e.g. have always voted this way), attraction of policies/leaders. Whether voted in Scottish Regional Elections and for which party.
Assessment of conflict between various groups in Britain, i.e. trade unions and employers/Protestants and Catholics/Scots and English/high income earners and low income earners/white people and coloured people, and own position.
A number of questions were asked on the subject of Scottish Devolution, including vote in the recent Referendum.

Coverage:

Dates of Fieldwork: May 1979 - October 1979
Country: Scotland
Spatial Units: Parliamentary Constituencies
Observation Units: Individuals

Universe Sampled:

Location of Units of Observation: National
Population: The Scottish electorate, 1974 and 1979

Methodology:

Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study; Longitudinal/panel/cohort
two waves
Sampling Procedures: Multi-stage stratified random sample
(original, 1974, study); Derived from 1974 Scottish election study sample, using a Marchant-Blyth top up procedure to embed the panel in a 1979 cross-section
Number of Units: 1647 (obtained)
1175 (obtained) (from 1974 panel)
729 (obtained) (interviewed in 1979)
588 (obtained) (contacted by post after the Referendum)
Method of Data Collection: Face-to-face interview; Postal survey

Language(s) of Written Materials:

Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:

Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Access and Preservation, UK Data Archive
External note: These data are also available as part of a collection British Elections, 1963-1992 (SN:3175).
Contact: Help desk: help@esds.ac.uk

Date of First Release:

1981

File last updated:

24 April 2012