 Objectives
| 1. |
The first pilot survey selected questions from all the GSS question items which were frequently asked in recent surveys and could be used in Japanese circumstances. |
| 2. |
Besides questions selected from GSS, some questions of high interest and necessity were adopted from recent opinion polls. |
| 3. |
Both interview and placement (self-administered) method was used in the first pilot survey. Questions on attributes and work of respondents were listed in interview questionnaires and asked through face-to-face interview with interviewer/administrator. Questions on behavior and attitude of respondents were asked in self-administered questionnaire. |
| 4. |
There were two versions of self-administered questionnaire: Version A and Version B. The two versions had different wording, or presented different number of response choices, and Version A used choices and scales compatible with GSS. |
| 5. |
With a view to nationwide survey, the survey points were chosen from Tokyo metropolitan area and Osaka Prefecture. The former area consisted of 5 groups including agricultural areas. |
| 6. |
In order to examine rate and distribution of responses by sex and age, one male and one female were selected from each age group (20s,30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s) in every survey point. |
Sampling
Tokyo metropolitan area
| 1. |
Stratify the area into 5 groups: residential-1(single residences), residential-2 (group housing), commercial, and industrial. |
| 2. |
For each of the 5 groups, select 4 electoral zones to obtain a total of 20 zones. |
| 3. |
For each of the 20 zones, select one male and one female from each age group (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s) to arrive at a total of 200 sample subjects for the primary sample set. |
| 4. |
Prepare 2 substitute sample subjects for each primary sample subject, thus preparing a list of 400 persons for substitution as necessary. |
Osaka Prefecture
| 1. |
Select 20 zones from all the electoral zones inside Osaka prefecture. |
| 2. |
For each of the 20 zones, select one male and one female from each age group (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s), totaling 200 subjects for a set of primary sample. |
| 3. |
Prepare 2 substitute sample subjects for each primary sample subject, thus preparing a list of 400 persons for substitution as necessary. |
Two Versions of Self-administered Questionnaire
Both interview and placement (self-administered) method was used for each respondent in the second pilot survey. The respondents were randomly distributed either of the two versions of the self-administered questionnaire.
Order of Administration
The administrative order (i.e., whether to conduct the face-to-face interview before or after the questionnaire) was randomly determined.
Response rates
The first pilot study was administered in the Tokyo metropolitan area and Osaka prefecture in March 1999.
| Tokyo metropolitan area |
| No. of respondents contacted |
380(17:"change of address" or "address unknown") |
| No. of valid responses |
159 |
| Response rate |
43.8%(excluding "change of address" or "address unknown") |
| Osaka Prefecture |
| No. of respondents contacted |
374(25:"change of address" or "address unknown") |
| No. of valid responses |
151 |
| Response rate |
43.8%(excluding "change of address" or "address unknown") |
Responses by Order of Interview/Self-administered Questionnaire
| No. of Responses(%) |
| Interview first, followed by self-administered questionnaire |
182(58.7%) |
| Self-administered questionnaire first, followed by interview |
128(41.3%) |
Responses by Versions of Self-administered Questionnaire
| No. of Responses(%) |
| |
Tokyo metropolitan area |
Osaka Prefecture |
TTL |
Residential area-1
(single residence) |
Residential area-2
(group housing) |
Commercial area |
Industrial area |
Agricultural area |
| Version A |
17(11.6) |
14(9.5) |
14(9.5) |
15(10.2) |
14(9.5) |
73(49.7) |
147(47.4) |
| Version B |
18(11.0) |
18(11.0) |
16(9.8) |
14(8.6) |
19(11.7) |
78(47.9) |
163(52.6) |
| TTL |
35(11.3) |
32(10.3) |
30(9.7) |
29(9.4) |
33(10.6) |
151(48.7) |
310(100.0) |
Responses by Sex and Age
| Response Rates(%) |
| Age |
20-29 |
30-39 |
40-49 |
50-59 |
60-69 |
TTL |
| Male |
25(16.6) |
29(19.2) |
32(21.2) |
29(18.5) |
37(24.5) |
151(48.7) |
| Female |
33(20.8) |
29(18.2) |
28(17.2) |
32(21.4) |
35(22.0) |
159(51.3) |
| TTL |
58(18.7) |
58(18.7) |
60(19.4) |
61(19.7) |
72(23.2) |
310(100.0) |
|
