Development of a Social Capital Index for Dumfries and Galloway
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of a Social Capital Index for Dumfries and Galloway
IRAS ID
195813
Contact name
Paul Southworth
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Dumfries and Galloway
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 29 days
Research summary
Social Capital is a broad concept encompassing the individual and community effects of social networks, especially those concerned with enabling people to engage in collective action. Previous research has found aspects of social capital to be associated with myriad outcomes including physical and mental health and wellbeing. However, a comprehensive tool for measuring Social Capital has yet to be developed.
This study seeks to develop such a tool and subsequently use this tool to understand Social Capital within Dumfries and Galloway. Work has already been undertaken to clarify a theoretical construct on which to base the tool and key stakeholders from NHS, council, third sector and academia have worked together to develop a questionnaire. The tool must now be trialled locally to assess its validity and reliability. As such, it is intended that the questionnaire will be sent by post to a representative sample of the adult population of Dumfries and Galloway.
As well as Social Capital questions, questions will be asked regarding demographics, self-reported health and wellbeing. Through statistical analysis, the utility of the questions will be ascertained and the relationship between Social Capital and various other factors investigated.
It is hoped that the tool will prove useful for four key purposes locally: A region-wide indicator of the current social health of individuals, groups and communities; analysis and research of how Social Capital changes over time and in response to changing circumstances, as well as how it is related to key indicators including physical and mental health, crime rates etc.; a targeting tool to demonstrate that services are serving those in most need, including social need, ensuring that services are narrowing inequalities; an evaluation tool to demonstrate social effectiveness of projects and programmes – particularly useful for projects whose short-term outcomes are principally social.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/WM/0085
Date of REC Opinion
11 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion