Projects
The development of an improved data resource on fertility and partnership
Project contributors: Berrington A, Ní-Bhrolcháin M, Beaujouan E,
This Project is part of the following research programme/s:
Overview
Objectives
The aim of this project was to develop a data tool to be widely used in studies of population, by generating a time series database of survey demographic histories and ancillary information from the General Household Survey (GHS). The main objective of developing such a tool was to enable investigation of fertility and partnership trends over several decades in Britain. Merging annual GHS datasets from 1979 onwards, the study looked to encompass information on socio-economical characteristics of individuals, their current family situation and also their past childbearing and partnership history.
Methods
Using advanced programming, data management and data cleaning, a time series database of the GHS from 1979-2009 was created from 29 annual survey rounds. It included substantial parts of the demographic histories –fertility and partnership—collected in the Family Information section of the survey, together with ancillary information. This required a considerable investment of time in creating variables that were consistent over time and in identifying and, in some cases, correcting defective data. A new consistent set of survey weights for the entire time series was also created.
Findings
The time series database was produced successfully and was used for a variety of papers on fertility and partnership. Analysis using the data tool gave a deep insight into trends in fertility over the last two decades linked with economic and societal changes. The individual data could also be used to understand more general aggregate changes.
During the research, however, serious errors were found in the GHS fertility histories. The research identified the principal source of these errors and a method of correcting them to a substantial extent was developed. As a result, a new set of survey weights was produced for the GHS 1979-2009, both for household analysis and for individual analysis of the Family Information section.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) had been aware of the deficiencies of the GHS fertility histories, but had not been able to identify the source of the error. This research identified why the errors were occurring in the GHS fertility histories and, as a result, ONS amended their survey procedures to try to avoid this source of error.
In addition, the database is to be deposited in the Data Archive and will be a valuable resource for further work on fertility and partnership in Britain, as well as on households and a range of other social and demographic topics.
Publications & Activities
Centre for Population Change General Household Survey Database, 1979-2009: Special Licence Access [computer file]
Location: UK Data Archive, Colchester, Essex [distributor]. (2015)
Authors: Beaujouan E, Ní-Bhrolcháin M, Berrington A, Falkingham J,
User guide to the Centre for Population Change GHS database 1979-2009
CPC (2014). Series Number: 47.
Authors: Beaujouan E, Berrington A, Amos M, Ní-Bhrolcháin M,
User guide to the Centre for Population Change GHS database 1979-2009
Location: University of Southampton, UK. (2014)
Authors: Beaujouan E, Berrington A, Amos M, Ní-Bhrolcháin M,
Reported childlessness: A further look at cohort estimates based on survey time-series data
CPC (2011). Series Number: 11.
Authors: Ní-Bhrolcháin M, Beaujouan E, Murphy M,
Evaluation of the partnership histories in the Centre for Population Change GHS time series dataset
CPC (2011). Series Number: 12.
Authors: Berrington A, Beaujouan E, Amos M, Ní-Bhrolcháin M,
Reported childlessness: a further look at cohort estimates based on survey time-series data
General Lifestyle Survey/General Household Survey User Meeting (2011). (Royal Statistical Society)
Authors: Ní-Bhrolcháin M, Beaujouan E, Murphy M, Amos M,
Sources of error in reported childlessness in a continuous British household survey
Population Studies (2011). 65 (3) 305-318
Authors: Ní-Bhrolcháin M, Beaujouan E,
Reweighting the General Household Survey 1979-2007
Population Trends (2011). 145 119-145
Authors: Beaujouan E, Brown J, Ní-Bhrolcháin M,
Cohort childlessness in the GHS 1979-2007
(2010).
Authors: Ní-Bhrolcháin M, Beaujouan E, Murphy M,
Childlessness: a further look at cohort estimates based on survey time-series data
British Society for Population Studies (BSPS) Annual Conference (2010). (University of Exeter)
Authors: Ní-Bhrolcháin M, Beaujouan E, Murphy M,
Childlessness: a further look at cohort estimates based on survey time-series data
European Population Conference (2010). (Vienna)
Authors: Ní-Bhrolcháin M, Beaujouan E, Murphy M,
Media
Live-in relationships behind falling divorce rates
Internet article on Mid-Day.com (Indian daily newspaper): "Live-in relationships behind falling divorce rates".
Live-in relationships behind falling divorce rates
Internet article on DeccanChronicle.com (Indian, English-language newspaper): "Live-in relationships behind falling divorce rates".
Key to a strong marriage: move in first
Article in The Telegraph: "Key to a strong marriage: move in first" (Tim Ross)
Marriage: a survey of surveys
Internet article on The Telegraph online: "Marriage: a survey of surveys" (Becky Pugh).
Cohabition tends to be a short term union; ONS research shows
Internet article on Family Law Week website: "Cohabition tends to be a short term union, ONS research shows".
Falling divorce rates are 'a result of couples living together before marriage
Article in the Mail Online: "Falling divorce rates are a result of couples living together before marriage" (Emily Allen).