This is a series of 20 cognitive interviews conducted with members of the UK general public in June and July 2011 as part of the PSE-UK Main Survey questionnaire design process. Cognitive interviewing is designed to identify cognition, recall, judgement and response problems associated with survey questions as well as to identify any sensitivity issues arising for respondents. The aim of this work is to reduce misinterpretation and confusion created by unclear questions and thereby to help reduce measurement error in the estimates derived from the sample survey data. Based upon expert review by the PSE-UK team, a range of items for potential inclusion in the PSE-UK survey were selected for cognitive testing relating to necessities, housing, local services, household finances and subjective poverty, education and parenting, economic participation, health and disability, life satisfaction, and crime and social harm.The ESRC has funded a major research project into Poverty and Social Exclusion in the UK. This project is a collaboration between the University of Bristol, University of Glasgow, Heriot Watt University, Open University, Queen’s University (Belfast), University of York, National Centre for Social Research and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. The project commences in April 2010 and will run for three-and-a-half years. The primary purpose is to advance the 'state of the art' of the theory and practice of poverty and social exclusion measurement. In order to improve current measurement methodologies, the research will develop and repeat the 1999 Poverty and Social Exclusion Survey. This research will produce information of immediate and direct interest to policy makers, academics and the general public. It will provide a rigorous and detailed independent assessment on progress towards the UK Government's target of eradicating child poverty. Objectives This research has three main objectives; To improve the measurement of poverty, deprivation, social exclusion and standard of living. To assess changes in poverty and social exclusion in the UK To conduct policy-relevant analyses of poverty and social exclusion Further information Contact: Prof David Gordon Email: dave.gordon@bristol.ac.uk Telephone: 0117 9546761 Website:

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