Ratcliffe, Peter, 1948-. (2008) 'Ethnic group' and the population census in Great Britain : mission impossible? Etniškumo studijos = Ethnicity Studies, 2008 (No.1). pp. 5-27. ISSN 1822-1041

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Abstract

This paper will review the reasons why it was felt necessary (for the first time) in the 1991 Census of Population in Britain to insert a question on 'ethnic group' and at the same time ask why it took so long for this to happen. It then questions whether it is possible to generate a valid and reliable measure of 'ethnicity'/ethnic group in such an exercise, especially given that conflicting pressures/agendas mean that the resulting question(s) is inevitably destined to be deployed to meet disparate and competing ends (therefore inevitably becoming 'Janus-faced'). Focus then turns to the specific form the question has taken, first in 1991 and then in 2001. As the author was a member of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Working Party on the ethnic group question, an insight is given into the forces constraining those who wanted a more radical shift in question structure and content. It also outlines briefly how samples of data from the Census can be used to enhance research. It concludes with an assessment of the potential use of data generated in 2001, especially in light of the fact that religion was also added to the Census agenda at this time (and looks forward to the 2011 Census and beyond). Above all else, it reveals the difficulties inherent in generating data on an extremely complex concept that is amenable to multiple competing interpretations.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Alternative Title:	"Etninė grupė" ir gyventojų surašymas Didžiojoje Britanijoje : misija neįmanoma?
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology
Journal or Publication Title:	Etniškumo studijos = Ethnicity Studies
Publisher:	Socialinių tyrimų institutas, Lietuva = Institute for Social Research, Lithuania
ISSN:	1822-1041
Date:	2008
Volume:	2008
Number:	No.1
Page Range:	pp. 5-27
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/43569

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