Data collected is of three types: initial focus groups, a survey, and semi-structured household interviews.

The focus groups

25 focus groups recorded group discussions about the nature and content of current cultural practice and the range of judgements of taste about these across cultural niches in Britain. Besides providing valuable information about cultural activities, which will be analysed in its own right, the focus groups were - by identifying activities, items and genres meaningful to diverse groups within the British population - useful in the design of survey questions to reliably document the extent of variation of current cultural pursuits and tastes.

For more information about the process of analysis, see:

Silva, E. and Wright, D. (2005) 'The judgement of taste and social position in focus group research', Sociologia l Ricerca Sociale (special edition on focus group methodology)m n.76-77 (PDF, 97 KB)

The survey

We administered a questionnaire to a sample of 1791 of the UK population aged 18+ (a random sample of 1564 and an ethnic boost of 227 targeted at Britain's 3 major ethnic groups: Indian, Pakistani and black Caribbean). It primarily sought information about cultural practices and capital holdings. For purposes of the survey, cultural practices were identified through measures of (i) participation, (ii) knowledge, and (iii) judgement of cultural activities, which included mass media, visual and performance arts, music, sport and recreation, food and drink, domestic leisure and recreation. Questions were compiled in the light of previous surveys, particularly Bennett et al (1999), and focus group findings. Extent, nature and frequency of participation in various activities have been recorded. Knowledge is estimated in terms of range of competence and level of familiarity. Judgement, or taste, is measured in terms of likes and dislikes of particular genres and contents.

Capital is construed as economic, cultural and social. Economic capital includes income, wealth, work experience and skills, current employment and access to informal and domestic provision. Cultural capital includes academic qualifications, educational experience (e.g., types of institution attended), cultural dispositions inherited and learned during childhood, embodied characteristics and capabilities, and practical cultural competences. Social capital includes connections via kin, friends, associational membership and acquaintanceship. Basic information for estimation of asset holding is derived from socio-demographic characteristics of the respondent, other current household members, and members of the household(s) of origin during childhood. Other personal information about the respondent includes aspects of primary and secondary socialisation and brief occupational history. Current work and occupations of household members and their educational careers are recorded in detail. Social capital is identified through questions about socio-demographic characteristics and cultural dispositions of kin and friends, pattern of associational membership and acquaintanceship giving access to networks of influence. The survey provides data to address all three Research Areas, as does our third investigative instrument.

'Cultural Capital and Social Exclusion Survey:  Technical Report by Katarina  Thompson' (pdf 1.26 MB).

The semi-structured household interviews

Semi-structured interviews in 30 households (44 persons) were conducted with respondents to the survey who agreed to a follow-up interview. These probe the relationships between the patterns of cultural participation, taste and knowledge revealed by respondents' answers to the survey and specific aspects of their distinctive profile of economic, social and cultural assets. They also allow for a greater understanding of the role of household dynamics and local contexts in the accumulation and deployment of cultural capital. The selection of households aimed to reflect the current diversity of household (or family) life in Britain. A further aim of the analysis is to explore the significance of the internal dynamics of the household for the formation of cultural tastes and the formation and transmission of cultural capital.

CCSE Phase 3 Household Study: Technical Report' by Elizabeth Silva (pdf 307 KB).