Mixed Race in Britain – survey report

Dear respondent,

Mixed Race: A Survey of Peoples' Preferences for Terminology & Official Classifications

We are researchers at the University of Kent and are conducting a small-scale survey into the preferences of people who are mixed race for terminology and classifications on official forms where an ethnic monitoring question is asked.

As you may know, a new classification was adopted for the 2001 Census that for the first time included categories for mixed race. These categories have been widely used by central and local government wherever information on ethnic or cultural background is collected.

We would like to know what your views are on the best terminology to use and what kind of classification best enables you to describe your race or ethnic/cultural background. The questionnaire takes only 10 minutes to complete and a stamped addressed envelope is enclosed for mail back.

Full anonymity will be maintained and the questionnaires will not be traced to the individuals who complete them. To ensure confidentiality we are not asking for any identifying information such as name or address.

Should you decide to participate, we hope you will enjoy completing this short questionnaire and find it interesting. If you would like a brief report on findings, please indicate this to the e-mail address at the end of this letter. Alternatively, findings will be posted on the CHSS website (under reports) at the following URL: www.kent.ac.uk/chss.

A brief information sheet is supplied on the back of this letter for your information.

We do hope you will be able to complete the questionnaire and thank you for your interest.

Yours sincerely,

Information Sheet

"MIXED RACE IN BRITAIN: A SURVEY OF PEOPLES' PREFERENCES FOR TERMINOLOGY AND OFFICIAL CLASSIFICATIONS"

We are researchers at the University of Kent and are conducting a small-scale survey into the preferences of people who are mixed race for terminology and classifications on official forms where an ethnic monitoring question is asked.

We would like to invite you to take part in this small-scale study which just involves completing a short questionnaire. The research is being undertaken so that preferences of people who are mixed race can be taken into account when these classifications are revised in the next year or so. Please e-mail or phone the contact person if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information and take time to decide whether or not you wish to take part.

Taking part in the research study is entirely voluntary. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. This information sheet gives background information on the study. If you decide to participate, we should be grateful if you would sign or initial the consent statement on the questionnaire. We estimate that the questionnaire will take no longer than ten minutes of your time to complete. The information you give will be treated as strictly confidential. Information on your name and address or other contact details in not requested. Once the questionnaire has been completed, all the respondent need do is to return it in the stamped addressed envelope enclosed. We hope that those agreeing to participate will find completing the questionnaire interesting and enjoyable. The information we get from this study should help us get a better understanding of how ethnic group classifications on forms can better meet the needs of those who complete them.

Thank you for considering taking part in this study.

Yours sincerely,