Data sources, methods and definitions

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Data sources

This report is based on data from the 2003, 2008 and 2013 General Social Survey (GSS). The target population consisted of persons aged 15 and over living in the 10 Canadian provinces, except for those living in institutions full time. The number of respondents was 24,951 in 2003, 20,401 in 2008 and 27,695 in 2013.

Definitions

Political activities

Respondents are considered to have taken part in a political activity other than voting if, in the past 12 months, they participated in at least one of the following activities: volunteering for a political party; expressing views on an issue by contacting a newspaper or politician; expressing views on a political or social issue through an Internet forum or news website; signing a petition on paper or on the Internet; boycotting or choosing a product for ethical reasons; attending a public meeting; speaking out at a public meeting; participating in a demonstration or march; or wearing a badge or T-shirt, or holding up a sign in support of or in opposition to a political or social cause.

Persons who refused to answer the questions on political activity were excluded from the analysis. They represent less than 1% of the respondents in each case. Respondents who refused to answer any of the questions were also excluded from the scale created for Chart 5 (the number of political activities other than voting in the past 12 months).

Members of or participants in groups, organizations or associations

When GSS respondents were asked whether they were members of or participants in certain types of organizations, they were given examples. The categories included the following: sports or recreational organization (such as a hockey league, health club or golf club); cultural, educational or hobby organization (such as a theatre group, book club or bridge club); group with religious affiliations (such as a church youth group or choir); school group, or neighbourhood, civic or community association (such as a parent–teacher or alumni association, block parent program or neighbourhood watch program); service club (such as the Kiwanis Club, the Knights of Columbus or the Legion); and youth organization (such as Scouts, Guides, Big Brothers, Big Sisters or YMCA). Respondents were not given examples of unions, professional associations or political organizations.

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