The Development of the Good Relations Measurement Framework in Britain: A Template for Experiential Social Measurement

• Published in: Social indicators research Vol. 114; no. 2; pp. 655 - 686
• Main Authors: Wigfield, Andrea, Turner, Royce
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.11.2013; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Attitude surveys; Beliefs; Case studies; Civil unions; Construction; Credibility; Crime victims; Decisions; Development; Disabilities; England; Equal rights; Equality; Frame analysis; Gender; History, theory and methodology; Human Geography; Human relations; Human rights; Indexes (Measures); Interpersonal Relationship; Longitudinal studies; Measurement; Measures; Methodology; Microeconomics; Policy Making; Polls & surveys; Pregnancy; Public Health; Qualitative Methods; Qualitative research; Quality of Life Research; Quantitative analysis; Race relations; School surveys; Sexual orientation; Social Indicators; Social interaction; Social Policy; Social problems and social policy. Social work; Social research; Social Sciences; Social studies; Social surveys; Sociology; Statistical Data; Studies; United Kingdom; Wellbeing; Great Britain; United Kingdom > UK; Protected characteristics; Policy development; Social measurement; Equality and Human Rights Commission; Good Relations; Policy process; Social relationships; Methodology; Social Indicator; Lived experience; Public policy
• ISSN: 0303-8300; 1573-0921
• DOI: 10.1007/s11205-012-0167-9

This article explores the development of the Good Relations Measurement Framework (GRMF), the first attempt in Britain to create a framework designed to measure how people experience their lives, specifically in relation to their interactions with each other. It provides a reference point for others seeking to construct social indicator measurement frameworks which capture the experiential in the social policy field. In a wider sense, it provides a case study of the use of social indicators within the policy process in the modern polity. The overall objective of the GRMF is to measure the state of Good Relations in Britain. Seven key areas emerged as being crucial for the development of measurement frameworks during the construction of the GRMF. Firstly, a decision has to be taken about the exten to which social measurement frameworks are confined to measurement only or are to have a normative element. Secondly, a working definition of the subject area is needed early in the process. Thirdly, an element of consultation with the public is important. A fourth issue relates to the practical method of construction through the use of ‘long lists’ of potential indicators, and finding a balance between an ‘ideal’ list of potential indicators emerging from public consultation and a second list of existing indicators drawn from existing surveys. A fifth issue relates to the availability of social indicator data at an appropriate geographical level. A sixth issue is that social indicators drawn from different surveys are not always comparable. A final factor is that while quantitative indicators are useful as a tool of social measurement, qualitative research adds a further dimension which is especially important in particular circumstances.