The present study sets out to explore an apparent increase in participation in local organisations reported in the 2004 survey and to validate respondents' survey responses. The study assesses whether it is possible to design a new participation question which offers better value for money i.e. facilitates a similar level of understanding of the types of groups respondents are involved in and better captures their understanding of social participation, yet is sufficiently short to make it a viable option for local surveys. Building on primary longitudinal survey data from a previous study measuring social capital in South Yorkshire Coalfield communities, this study explores a number of methodological concerns related to the extent of participation in these communities. The aim is to devise a set of survey questions better matched to respondents' understanding of participation which elicit an accurate assessment of participation, and are designed to be efficient for effective use in other local surveys. The research approach involves factor analysis to explore relationships between responses to survey questions about participation in local groups. In-depth interviews to better understand activities residents are engaged in and to validate existing survey responses. Findings will inform methodological review of existing survey methods and may help to suggest a more appropriate set of questions.

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