Hello Marika,
All household members of the households selected at the first wave and their descendants constitute the core sample and are followed wherever they move within the UK to see how things have changed over time and their life course. All those who join their households in subsequent waves do not become part of the core sample but are interviewed as long as they live with at least one core sample member.
The household enumeration grid identifies household members and collects some basic information about them. Any knowledgeable adult in the household can fill this in.
The household questionnaire is generally asked of the person who owns or rents the accommodation (or the elder of the two if jointly owned or rented). This questionnaire includes questions relevant to the whole household such as expenditure on heating, information about ownership, mortgage, rents and so on.
All household members aged 16 or above are asked to complete an individual questionnaire.
Household members aged 10-15 years are asked to complete a short self-completion youth questionnaire, with permission from their parent or carer. They become eligible for a full interview once they reach the age of 16.
For further information please refer to Main Survey User Guide at https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/documentation/mainstage/user-guides/main-survey-user-guide/
I hope this information is helpful.
Best wishes,
Roberto Cavazos
Understanding Society User Support Team
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