In 2016, a new national survey was established in Wales that brought together a number of previous separate surveys, including the previous Welsh Outdoor Recreation Survey, the Welsh Government survey, the Health Survey, and Sports Wales survey. This presentation outlines the main drivers behind the development of the new integrated ‘National Survey for Wales’, how it has worked in practice, and the benefits and challenges of taking forward a new approach. In particular, this presentation considers the balance between meeting new evidence needs (such as the benefits of outdoor recreation for health and well-being), practical constraints of survey size, and the need for trend data. It highlights both the methodological issues, and the effect that it has on results and the provision of evidence for policy and practice. Sharing the experience of developing a new National Survey for Wales provides useful learning that applies to other surveys, both national and local.
Outdoor Recreation Network > Other Publications > Integrating recreation into the new National Survey for Wales, Sue Williams: Natural Resources Wales