University of Calgary Home Page University of Calgary Library Home Page MADGIC - Maps, Academic Data and Geographic Information Centre
University of Calgary Home Page Library Help Search Library Information Library Catalogue Article Index List

General Social Surveys (Statistics Canada)

The GSS surveys are performed on a regular basis and include certain basic variables. Their primary purpose however, is to document various specific aspects of Canadian society and monitor changes in these characteristics over time. The University of Calgary receives all the GSS studies.

General Social Survey, cycle 11: Social and Community Support, 1996 [ LANDRU ]

Cycle 11 collected data from persons 15 years and older and concentrated on help given or received during temporary difficult times or out of necessity due to long-term health or physical limitations in daily activities either inside or outside the household. The target population of the General Social Survey consisted of all individuals aged 15 and over living in a private household in one of the ten provinces.

Source: Statistics Canada, IPS Catalogue.

General Social Survey, cycle 10: Family, 1995 [ LANDRU ]

Cycle 10 focused on Canadian families. This theme, in conjunction with the theme relating to social support and social networks was also covered in Cycle 5. The increased interest in these two themes and their complexities has made their processing difficult within one survey. As a result, each theme is now covered under a separate survey. Help and social support will form the core content for Cycle 11.

More specifically, Cycle 10 collected data on family and marital history (marriage and common-law relationships), joint custody arrangements, child leaving, family origins, fertility intentions, values and attitudes towards certain areas of family life, and work interruptions. In addition to the core content Cycle 10 included two focus themes: the effects of environmental tobacco smoke, and wartime service, which targets persons aged 55 and over.

A pilot test was carried out in the Montreal and Winnipeg regional offices in August 1994. The survey was conducted using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing. The sample size for the survey was approximately 11,250 respondents, which includes an additional sample of 1,250 respondents sponsored by the province of Quebec. Data was collected monthly from January to December 1995 in the Halifax, Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver Regional Offices. Data collection for the additional sample started in May and was spread equally over the remaining months. Initial data are scheduled for release in the spring of 1996 and the public use microdata file in early 1997.

Source: Statistics Canada. General Social Survey: Features and Status Report December 1996, p.10.

General Social Survey, cycle 9: Education, Work and Retirement, 1994 [ LANDRU ]

The ninth cycle of the General Social Survey marks the first repeat of the GSS core subject on Education, Work and Retirement, originally covered in Cycle 4 (1989). Although the core content is the same in both cycles, there are differences between the two surveys. For example, Cycle 9 focuses more on quality of life after retirement and post-retirement activities than Cycle 4. In addition, the Cycle 9 questionnaire has two new sections: social origin and work interruptions.

The target population of the GSS (General Social Survey) consisted of all individuals aged 15 and over living in a private household in one of the ten provinces.

Source: Statistics Canada, IPS Catalogue.

General Social Survey, cycle 8: Personal Risk, 1993 [ LANDRU ]

Cycle 8 collected data from persons 15 years of age and older. The eighth cycle of the GSS marks the first repeat of the GSS core subject on Personal Risk (see GSS 1988 - Cycle 3) related to accidents and criminal victimizations. The following subjects are common to both: perceptions of crime, police and courts; crime prevention precautions; accident and crime screening sections; and accident and crime incident reports. As well, measures of fear of crime and childhood injuries were identified as appropriate additions to the core content. Focus content for Cycle 8 covers alcohol and drug use.

The target population of the GSS (General Social Survey) consisted of all individuals aged 15 and over living in a private household in one of the ten provinces.

Source: Statistics Canada, IPS Catalogue.

General Social Survey, cycle 7: Time Use, 1992 [ LANDRU ]

This survey collected data on time use of Canadians. Topics included activities over a 24-hour period, and data for each episode of time use; paid and unpaid work; perceptions of time; and participation in organized sport and cultural activities.

Source: Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada Catalogue 1994 (STC 11-204), p.404.

General Social Survey, cycle 6: Health, 1991 [ LANDRU ]

Cycle 6 provides a range of measures of health status, health care utilization, and lifestyle risk factors. Most of the core content in Cycle 6 repeats Cycle 1. Since much of the core content was also covered in the 1978-79 Canada Health Survey, the three surveys can be used to measure changes in health status over time. Focus content for Cycle 6 covered flu vaccinations, job benefits, old age and disability income, and measures of emotional health.

Source: Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada Catalogue 1994 (STC 11-204), p.404.

General Social Survey, cycle 5: Family and Friends, 1990 [ LANDRU ]

The survey collected data on aspects of the respondent's relationship with parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, children and friends; birth history of their children, type of childcare provided and contact with children living outside the household; fertility intentions; household help and support; marriage and common-law history; satisfaction measures and background socio-economic questions for classification purposes.

Source: Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada Catalogue 1994 (STC 11-204), p.404.

General Social Survey, cycle 4: Education and Work, 1989 [ LANDRU ]

The survey collected data on educational attainment, current education and future education intentions; activities before starting education and after completing education; work history (1984, 1988) and current employment; job satisfaction and other material rewards from employment; interest in science and technology; computer knowledge and computer use at home and at work; retirement; involvement in organizations; well-being measures and background socio-economic questions for classification purposes.

Source: Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada Catalogue 1994 (STC 11-204), p.403.

General Social Survey, cycle 3: Personal Risk, 1988 [ LANDRU ]

The third annual cycle of the General Social Survey concentrated on the personal risk of crime victimization and accidents. The following types of information were collected: attitudes to various components of the justice system; awareness of victim services; perception of risk with regard to accidents and crime incidents; and information on the kind and number of times the respondent had been involved in an accident or crime incident. Only accidents which occurred during 1987 and interrupted the respondent's normal activities for at least half a day, or caused expenses of $200.00 or more, were reported. Similiarly, only crime incidents which occurred between January 1st and December 31st 1987 were in scope. Each time an accident or criminal victimization was reported, a report was completed collecting details about the incident - month of year of occurrence, time of day, location, and the resulting financial and health impacts.

Source: Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada Catalogue 1994 (STC 11-204), p.403.

General Social Survey, cycle 2: Time use, Social Mobility, and Language Use, 1986
[ LANDRU ]

This survey collected data on social mobility and time use of Canadians, and examined language knowledge and use. Topics include: occupation, education of Canadians and their parents, language knowledge and use, activities over a 24-hour period, and data for each episode of time use.

Source: Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada Catalogue 1994 (STC 11-204), p.402.

General Social Survey, cycle 1: Health and Social Support, 1985 [ DRAT ]

The first General Social Survey was designed to monitor changes in the health of Canadians and to examine social support for persons 55 years and older. Topics include: barriers and bridges to improving health status (smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, etc.); current health status (happiness, activity limitation, health problems, etc.); and support networks and social participation of the elderly.

Source: Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada Catalogue 1994 (STC 11-204), p.402.

[ ADC ]Academic Data Centre Home Page [ LANDRU ] LANDRU Home Page