Secondary data
Topic:
Geographical
skills
Case study:
2011 UK
census
Relevance:
A-Level
Lesson aims

To understand what is meant by
‘secondary data’

To illustrate how and when secondary
data can aid geographical research

To outline the strengths and
limitations of secondary data
Defining secondary data

Data that is collected by someone
other than the user of that data

Includes: census data, housing
records, attendance figures…
UK population
distribution

The UK census
gives us unique
geographical
insight

What does this
map show in
relation to
population
density?
Data source: 2011 UK Census
True or false?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
There are almost a million more women than
men in the UK
Eden (a part of Cumbria) has the lowest
population density in England and Wales
Manchester experienced the greatest
percentage population growth outside London
between 2001 and 2011
Kensington and Chelsea is one of only four
local authority areas in England and Wales to
have a declining population size.
The number of households in Tower Hamlets
rose by is 28% between 2001 and 2011
Using secondary data
Primary data collection is costly and
labour intensive
 Secondary data is often available in
large quantities
 Often used as background information
before collecting primary data
 Provides information about a time or
place that a researcher cannot access

The UK census

Ever 10 years it is a count of the total
population and records its
characteristics, such as:
Age
 Gender
 Employment
 Health
 Housing
 Transport

Scales of UK census

Data is geographically located, allowing
spatial comparisons.
Largest







Smallest
Countries (England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland)
Regions (9 in total, e.g.: North East & West Midlands)
Counties (36 in total, e.g.: Essex, North Yorkshire)
Districts, boroughs and local authorities (local government)
Electoral Wards (average of 6,000 residents)
Lower Super Output Areas (average of 1,500 residents)
Output Areas (Average of 300 residents)
UK census methodology

Carried out every 10 years since
1801, most recently in 2011

Each household in the UK receives a
questionnaire in the post. Submitted
either online or by post.

Eastern European countries carry out
interviews rather than questionnaires.
Using census data
Data helps us understand the UK
population, which is always changing
 It is used by government, businesses,
academics and NGOs
 Helps in large-scale planning, e.g.:

Population count helps govt. allows
distribute funds to local authorities
 Data on long-term illness and carers
helps plan social services

Limitations of
secondary data
Need to establish reliability and
accuracy of data source
 It only represents one moment in time
 Not all people may be accounted for
 People may not tell the truth
 Data may be biased
 Researchers rely on the questions
asked by the original survey

Misleading data?

= 1000 people
176,632 people claimed to be ‘Jedi Knights’ in the
2011 UK census. This highlights possible limitations
associated with self-defining categories
Defining religion
Question 20 on the
2011 UK census
asked: ‘What is your
religion’
 This is a voluntary
question
 By answering the closed question with
‘Any other religion’, participants are able to
answer an open question and define their
own religion

Your local area
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/interactive/2012/dec/
13/census-2011-truth-where-you-live-interactive

Are there any surprising figures?

Can you explain some of the more
major changes?
Plenary
True
1.
True
2.
True
3.
True
4.
True
5.
There are almost a million more women than men
in the UK
Eden (a part of Cumbria) has the lowest population
density in England and Wales
Manchester experienced the greatest percentage
population growth outside London between 2001
and 2011
Kensington and Chelsea is one of only four local
authority areas in England and Wales to have a
declining population size
The number of households in Tower Hamlets rose
by is 28% between 2001 and 2011
Plenary

Evaluate five claims made by the 2011
UK census on the previous slide

What explanations can we provide for
each statement? Use your knowledge
of:
Geographical processes
 Limitations of secondary data

Geography in the News

This resource is available from:
www.geographyinthenews.rgs.org

Visit for worksheets, teachers’ notes,
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