Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Measuring National Wellbeing: What Matters to You? What Matters to Whom?

  • Chapter
Cultures of Wellbeing

Abstract

The Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) Measuring National Well-Being: ‘What Matters to You?’ debate ran between November 2010 and April 2011. The five-month debate took place across various platforms: an online questionnaire and forum, social media, postal submissions, a telephone line and 175 live events. The latter varied from workshops and focus groups with ‘people from all walks of life’, including some groups thought ‘hard-to-reach’,1 to large-scale public events with hundreds in attendance (Evans 2011: 5). In creating the debate, the ONS presented a space in which to listen to, discuss, collect and collate descriptions of what was important to individuals and communities in order to understand ‘what matters’ for the nation2 (Cameron 2010, Matheson 2011, Self et al. 2012). More than 30,000 responses describe what mattered to participants about wellbeing, which the ONS has indicated formed the basis of the UK’s national wellbeing domains and measures (Self et al. 2013: 2).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Allin, P. (2007) Measuring Societal Wellbeing. Economic and Labour Market Review. Office for National Statistics 1(10): 46–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bache, I. and Reardon, L. (2013) An Idea Whose Time Has Come? Explaining the Rise of Well-Being in British Politics. Political Studies 61(4): 898–914.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Back, L. (2007) The Art of Listening. Oxford: Berg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaumont, J. (2011) Measuring National Well-Being: A Discussion Paper on Domains and Measures. Newport: Office for National Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bok, D. (2010) The Politics of Happiness: What Government Can Learn from the New Research on Well-Being. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, D. (2010) Prime Minister’s Speech on Wellbeing on 25 November 2010. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-on-wellbeing [accessed 15 March 2013].

  • Camfield, L. and Palmer-Jones, R. (2013) Improving the Quality of Development Research: What Could Archiving Qualitative Data for Reanalysis and Revisiting Research Sites Contribute? Progress in Development Studies 13(4): 323–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dolan, P., Layard, R. and Metcalfe, R. (2011) Measuring Subjective Well-Being for Public Policy. Newport: Office for National Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, J. (2011) Findings from the National Well-Being Debate. Available at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/well-being/publications/findings-from-the-national-well-being-debate.pdf [accessed 1 May 2012].

  • Fromm, E. (1994) The Art of Listening. New York: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujiwara, D. (2013) Museums and Happiness: The Value of Participating in Museums and the Arts. Suffolk: The Happy Museum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galloway, S. (2008) The Evidence Base for Arts and Culture Policy. Edinburgh: Scottish Arts Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia, J., Evans, J. and Reshaw, M. (2004) ‘Is There Anything Else You Would Like to Tell Us’ — Methodological Issues in the Use of Free-Text Comments from Postal Surveys. Quality & Quantity 38: 113–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Global Economic Forum (2013) Global Competitive Report. Available at: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2013-14.pdf [accessed 1 February 2014].

  • Gunarantam, Y. (2012) Learning to Be Affected: Social Suffering and Total Pain at Life’s Borders. The Sociological Review, 60(S1): 108–123. Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/DOI:10.1111/j.1467-954X.2012.02119.x [accessed 13 May 2013].

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haworth, J. (2010) Life, Work, Leisure, and Enjoyment: The Role of Social Institutions. ESRC. Available at: http://www.wellbeing-esrc.com/downloads/LifeWorkLeisure&Enjoyment.pdf [accessed 13 March 2012].

  • Hicks, D., Creaser, C., Greenwood, H., Spezi, V., White, S. and Frude, N. (2011) Public Library Activity in the Areas of Health and Well-Being. Final Report. Birmingham: Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hicks, S., Tinker, L. and Allin, P. (2013) Measuring Subjective Well-Being and Its Potential Role in Policy: Perspectives from the UK Office for National Statistics. Social Indicators Research 114(1): 73–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HM Treasury (2003, updated 2011) The Green Book: Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government. London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffres, L. W., Bracken, C. C., Jian, G. and Casey, M. F. (2009) The Impact of Third Places on Community Quality of Life. Applied Research in Quality of Life 4(4): 333–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffries, S. (2008) Will This Man Make You Happy? The Guardian, Tuesday 24 June 2008. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/jun/24/healthandwellbeing.schools [accessed 12 June 2012].

  • Kroll, C. (2011) Measuring Progress and Well-Being: Achievements and Challenges of a New Global Movement. Berlin: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, J. (2009) Seeing Like a Survey. Cultural Sociology 3(2): 239–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Law, J., Ruppert, E. and Savage, M. (2011) The Double Social Life of Methods CRESC Working Paper 095. Available at: http://www.cresc.ac.uk/sites/default/files/The%20Double%20Social%20Life%20of%20Methods%20CRESC%20Working%20Paper%2095.pdf [accessed 15 August 2012].

  • Law, J., Ruppert, E. and Savage, M. (eds.) (2013, July) Special Issue on the Social Life of Methods. Theory, Culture and Society. 30(4): 3–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovell, R., Husk, K., Bethel, A. and Garside, R. (2014) What Are the Health and Well-Being Impacts of Community Gardening for Adults and Children: A Mixed Method Systematic Review Protocol. Environmental Evidence 3: 20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mason, J. (2007) Re-Using Qualitative Data: On the Merits of an Investigative Epistemology. Sociological Research Online 12(3). Available at: http://www.socresonline.org.uk/12/3/3.html. DOI: 10.5153/sro.1507 [accessed 12 December 2013].

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matheson, J. (2011) National Statistician’s Reflections on the National Debate on Measuring National Well-Being. Newport: Office of National Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  • NatCen and CLS (2003) Millennium Cohort Study, First Survey: Code Book and Edit Instructions. Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Bedford Group for Lifecourse and Statistical Studies and Institute of Education, University of London.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, D. (2010) Measuring the Value of Culture: A Report to the Department for Culture Media and Sport. London: DCMS.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Cathain, A. and Thomas, K. (2004) ‘Any Other Comments?’ Open Questions on Questionnaires — A Bane or a Bonus to Research? BMC Medical Research Methodology 4(25). Available at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/4/25 [accessed 13 December 2013].

  • O’Donnell, G. (2013) Using Well-Being as a Guide to Policy. pp. 96–111 in J. F. Helliwell, R. Layard and J. Sachs (eds.) World Happiness Report 2013. New York: UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oman, S. (2012) Measuring National Wellbeing: The Public Debate That Was Never Ours. Arts Professional (257): 8, September 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oman, S. (2013) A ‘Snapshot of Life’? What’s Missing from this Picture? Two Years of Measuring National Well-Being. Arts Professional, February 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD (2014) Competition. Available at: http://www.oecd.org/daf/competition/[accessed 1 March 2014].

  • Office for National Statistics (2011) Measuring National Well-Being Technical Advisory Group. Friday 4 February 2011. Minutes available at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/well-being/measuring-national-well-being-technical-advisory-group/Notes-from-the-meeting-on-4-february-2011.pdf [accessed 15 March 2014].

  • Office for National Statistics (2012a) Measuring What Matters — Understanding the Nation’s Well-Being. Available at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/wellbeing [accessed 1 September 2012].

  • Office for National Statistics (2012b) ONS Sheds More Light on Life in the UK News Release. Available at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/sons/dcp29904_287921.pdf [accessed 30 November 2012].

  • Office of National Statistics (2001) 60 Years of Social Survey: 1941–2001. Norwich: HMSO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rich, J. L., Chojenta, C. and Loxton, D. (2013) Quality, Rigour and Usefulness of Free-Text Comments Collected by a Large Population Based Longitudinal Study — ALSWH. PLoS ONE 8(7). Available at: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0068832 [accessed 1 December 2013].

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards, L. (2005) Handling Qualitative Data: A Practical Guide. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savage, M. (2007) Changing Social Class Identities in Post-War Britain: Perspectives from Mass-Observation. Sociological Research Online 12(3): 6. Available at: http://www.socresonline.org.uk/12/3/6.html. DOI: 10.5153/sro.1459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savage, M. and Burrows, R. (2007) The Coming Crisis of Empirical Sociology. Sociology 41: 885.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, K. (2012) Measuring Wellbeing. Towards Sustainability. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, K. (2014) Happiness on Your Doorstep: Disputing the Boundaries of Wellbeing and Localism. The Geographical Journal 181(2): 129–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, J., Nolan, J. and Plagnol, A. (2009) Panel Data and Open-Ended Questions: Understanding Perceptions of Quality of Life. 21st Century Society 4(2): 123–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seidman, I. (2013) Interviewing as Qualitative Research: A Guide for Researchers in Education and the Social Sciences. 4th ed. New York: Teachers’ College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Self, A., Thomas, J. and Randall, C. (2012) Measuring National Well-Being: Life in the UK, 2012. Newport: Office for National Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Self, A., Thomas, J. and Randall, C. (2013) Measuring National Well-Being — Review of Domains and Measures, 2013. Newport: Office for National Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. (1999) Commodities and Capabilities. 2nd ed. Delhi New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stiglitz, J. E., Sen A. and Fitoussi, J. P. (2009) Report by the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress. OECD. Available at: http://www.stigliz-sen-fitoussi.fr/[accessed 3 April 2012].

  • Stoll, L., Michaelson, J. and Seaford, C. (2012) Well-Being Evidence for Policy: A Review. London: New Economics Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, H. (1987) The Content of the Form: Narrative Discourse and Historical Representation. London: John Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • York, G. S., Churchman, R., Woodard, B., Wainright, C. and Rau-Foster, M. (2012) Free-Text Comments: Understanding the Value in Family Member Descriptions of Hospice Caregiver Relationships. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine 29: 98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Susan Oman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Bath, UK

    Sarah C. White (Professor of International Development and Wellbeing) (Professor of International Development and Wellbeing)

  2. University of Bath, UK

    Chloe Blackmore (Researcher) (Researcher)

Copyright information

© 2016 Susan Oman

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Oman, S. (2016). Measuring National Wellbeing: What Matters to You? What Matters to Whom?. In: White, S.C., Blackmore, C. (eds) Cultures of Wellbeing. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137536457_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137536457_3

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-53644-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-53645-7

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation