The International Survey of Adult Skills
What is the International Survey of Adult Skills (ISAS)?
ISAS is an international survey, being conducted in countries around the world, including the United States, Japan and many countries across Europe in order to establish the range of skills that adults are using in their daily lives.
Why is the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills conducting this study?
Today, adults face daily challenges using information and technology in their work and day-to-day activities. We use calculators and computers, compare price labels when shopping, fill out tax return forms and more. The more skilled we are in using information and tools, the more effectively we can participate in the workplace, in our communities and at home, both now and in the future. The International Survey of Adult Skills will provide information about how prepared adults are to fulfil the country’s current and future skill needs. Educators, policy makers and business leaders will use this information to develop economic, education and social policies that will continue to enhance the skills of adults in the UK.
Who is conducting the survey?
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills has commissioned the National Foundation for Educational Research to co-ordinate the survey. They are working with three partner agencies: TNS-BMRB, NatCen and NISRA.
The NFER is the UK’s largest independent provider of research, assessment and information services for education, training and children’s services. It aims to make a difference to learners of all ages, especially to the lives of children and young people, by ensuring our work improves the practice and understanding of those who work with and for learners. The NFER undertakes around 200 research projects every year, spanning all sectors of education and children’s services. It provides high quality, evidence-based research for policy makers, managers and practitioners. Its unrivalled experience enables it to offer a wide range of services and information sites, making NFER a one-stop-shop for anyone interested in education and improving children’s lives.
TNS-BMRB is an independent research agency. They collect and analyse data for clients in many sectors, including central and local government. The agency mainly specialises in social research which is carried out in order to inform governments of various patterns and issues in society. This information acts as a basis for changes in government policy. TNS-BMRB also carries out research for a number of charities and voluntary organisations such as the NSPCC, Save the Children, the RSCPA and Age Concern.
NatCen is Britain's largest independent social research organisation. They have been carrying out research on behalf of the government, research councils and charitable foundations since 1969. One of the largest surveys that NatCen carries out is the British Attitudes Survey. This high profile survey asks around 3000 people every year what it’s like to live in Britain and how they think Britain is run.
Central Survey Unit (CSU) is the leading social survey research organisation in Northern Ireland and is one of the main business areas of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), an Agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel. The Unit has a long track record and a wealth of experience in the design, management and analysis of behavioural and attitude surveys in the context of a wide range of social policy issues. The Unit provides a survey research service to Northern Ireland Government Departments and the wider public sector in Northern Ireland.
How was your address chosen?
Since interviewing every adult in the country would be very expensive, the agencies use scientific statistical methods to randomly select household addresses from the Post Office’s list of addresses. It is important that the survey represents everyone in the country, so the agencies need to talk to men and women of all ages and backgrounds.
What happens next?
An interviewer will be calling at your house in the next few weeks. The interviewer does not know anything in advance about you or your household but he or she will need to randomly select from each address one adult aged between 16 and 65 years. If the selected person is unable to do the interview at the time, the interviewer will be happy to arrange to come back at a more convenient time.
What happens to the information you give?
The information that is collected will be used solely for research purposes and is entirely confidential, in line with the Data Protection Act. No individual will be identifiable from the results. Your answers will be combined with those of others that take part in the survey. Your name and address details are kept separate from your answers and will not be passed on to the Department of Business, Skills & Innovation or any other organisation without your expressed permission.
Why should you take part if you are chosen?
It’s vital that as many people as possible take part so the information from the UK is representative of the whole population. That means that each individual is very important and can contribute to the picture that will emerge from the data. As a thank you for taking part, you will be given vouchers that you can spend in High Street shops.
