Quality of Life Survey 7
The implementation of the GCRO Quality of Life Survey, with six iterations to date, is an enormous undertaking. The preparations for the 7th survey iteration are underway. Key preparatory activities include budgeting, development of time frames, stakeholder engagement, and the exploration of potential thematic focus areas for QoL 7.
Methodological feasibility study
As part of the preparations for QoL 7, the GCRO conducted a feasibility study from late 2021 to early 2022. The study employed mixed methods to explore potential strategies to reduce the difficulty and cost of implementing a QoL survey. It involved secondary analysis of QoL 6 survey implementation metadata for an enhanced understanding of survey yield in different areas as well as the effectiveness of various approaches to negotiating access. More than 20 key informant interviews (KIIs) with gatekeepers, community and security groups, and ward councillors were conducted to better understand their preferences and experiences with providing access for survey teams.
Informed by the secondary analysis and KIIs, a small, in-field pilot of various modes of recruitment and interviews was conducted. The pilot study tested the feasibility of various modified in-person recruitment processes, as well as telephonic recruitment. Participants were offered the opportunity to complete the interview in a range of different ways - in person with an interviewer, on their own using a study tablet, on their own on a web interface, over the phone, or via a zoom interview.
The feasibility study provided valuable lessons to support the process of securing access and community buy-in for survey implementation in challenging areas. Results suggest that the QoL survey will need to continue operating on a largely in-person basis, although there is some evidence that supports the use of telephonic recruitment and interviews in areas where physical access challenges are particularly severe. The feasibility study report is available for download here.
Past Quality of Life surveys
All Quality of Life survey data is made freely available under a CC BY 4.0 license. The datasets can be accessed via the DataFirst service based at UCT, or on request from the GCRO.
Overview of the Quality of Life Survey
Quality of Life 10 year review
Quality of Life Survey 6 (2020/21)
Quality of Life Survey IV (2015/16)
Quality of Life Survey III (2013/14)
Quality of Life Survey II (2011)
Quality of life Survey I (2009)
Last updated: 10 October 2022.