(FOR EACH "YES"ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:)

Are you a member of this kind of group?
Have you attended a group meeting in the past twelve months?
Have you participated in any other activities with this group in the past twelve months?
Does this group meet and do activities in the local community?
Did you donate money or goods (to the group) (in the past twelve months)?
Did you do volunteer work (for the group) (in the past twelve months)?
Would you say you have personal friends within this group?

(IF A "MEMBER" AND "ATTENDED" MORE THAN ONE ORGANIZATION:)

Of the groups that you belong to, which would you say is the most important in your life?

(FOR THOSE WHO ARE A "MEMBER" AND "ATTENDED" ONE ORGANIZATION AND FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT GROUP MEMBERSHIP:)

On average, how many hours a month do you participate in this group's activities?

To what extent would you say you participate in this group's decision making? Would you say to a very large extent, a large extent, a small extent, or a very small extent?

Does this group ever do anything to try to solve local community problems?

Does this group ever do any other charitable work?

Has this group ever taken political stands or engaged in political organizing or campaigning?

Thinking about the members of this group,

Would you say that most of them are from the same neighborhood?
Are they mostly the same race?
Do they mostly have the same educational background?
Are they mostly one gender?
Are you a member of, or have you donated any money to, any local or national organization that represents your opinions or interests?

VOLUNTARISM

The sequence on voluntary association captures a great deal of voluntary activity, if voluntarism is measured in this way, then only a few additional questions are needed:*

In the past twelve months have you done any volunteer work that you haven't already told me about?

(IF ANY VOLUNTEER WORK INDICATED ABOVE):
In a typical month, how many hours of unpaid volunteer work would you say you do?

Otherwise a general voluntarism question is needed. Here is an in-person version:

Listed on this card are examples of the many different areas in which people do volunteer activity. By volunteer activity I mean not just belonging to a service organization, but actually working in some way to help others for no monetary pay. In which, if any, of the areas listed on this card have you done some volunteer work in the past twelve months...health organizations, education, religious organizations, human services, environment, public/society benefit, recreation--adults, arts, culture, and humanities, work-related organizations, political organizations/campaigns, youth development, private and community foundations, international/foreign, informal--alone, or other?

Politics

Our next topic is politics.

When you get together with friends, would you say you discuss political matters frequently, occasionally, rarely, or almost never?

Are you currently registered to vote?

Many people aren't able to vote because they're not registered, or they don't have time, or they have difficulty getting to the polls. Think about all the presidential elections since you have been old enough to vote. Have you voted in all of them, in most of them, in some of them, rarely voted in them, or have you never voted in a presidential election?

Did you vote in the most recent local election? (for your city, town, school district, or county)

How much of the time do you think you can trust the national government to do what is right just about always, most of the time, or hardly ever?

How about your local government? How much of the time do you think you can trust the local government to do what is right? (Would you say just about always, most of the time, or hardly ever?)

General Social Capital And Related Value Questions*

* Now, I want to ask you some questions about how you view other people. Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted or that you can't be too careful in dealing with people?

* Would you say that most of the time people try to be helpful or do you think that they are mostly looking out for themselves?

* Do you think that people would try to take advantage of you if they got the chance or would they try to be fair?

* What do you consider to be the most important reason there are people in this country who live in poverty: because they are unlucky, because of laziness and lack of will power, because there is injustice in our society, or because poverty is an inevitable part of progress?

PERSONAL SUPPORT NETWORKS

Household size and Marital Status

* Now I want to ask about your relationships with friends and family. First, I need to know a little bit about your household. How many people do you live with, counting children, roommates, and anyone else who stays with you most of the time? (IF "NO ONE", SKIP TO CHILDREN)

Are you currently married and living with your spouse? [This question is also in the demographics section.]

(IF NO) Are you currently living with someone as if you were married? [This question is also in the demographics section.]
(IF NO, SKIP TO CHILDREN)
(IF YES) How long have you lived together? (Including any cohabitation before marriage.)

Children [and Social Support]

How many living children do you have? (IF NONE, SKIP TO PARENTS) (You should include adoptive children and any other children you have raised.)

What are their ages, starting with the youngest?

How many of them live with you now? (IF NONE, SKIP NEXT QUESTION) ("NONE" MAY BE INFERRED FROM HOUSEHOLD SIZE)

What are their ages?

(FOR RESPONDENTS WITH ADULT CHILDREN NOT AT HOME)
How many of your grown children live in {NAME OF COMMUNITY} or in nearby communities? OR Does your (oldest) child live in {NAME OF COMMUNITY} or in nearby communities?

How many of your (adult) children do you see at least once a week?

How many of your (adult) children do you talk with on the phone or correspond with at least once a week?

How many of your (adult) children do you feel very close to?

(FOR ALL THOSE WITH ADULT CHILDREN)
As you know, parents and children sometimes help each other out in different ways. Do you help your grown child/children in any of the following ways? (GO THROUGH LIST)

...Help out with money.
...Help out when someone is ill.
...Do errands, shop, cook, or do other everyday household chores.
...Take care of grandchildren or babysit.

Does your grown child/children help you in any of the following ways? (Go through list.)

...Help out when someone is ill.
...Do errands, shop, cook, or do other everyday household chores.
...Help out with money

Parents

Is one or both of your parents still living? (IF NEITHER ARE, SKIP TO SIBLINGS)
Which?

Does your (mother, father, mother or father) live in the {NAME OF COMMUNITY} area?

Do you see your (mother, father, mother or father) at least once a week?

Do you talk on the phone or correspond with your (mother, father, mother or father) at least once a week?

Thinking about your overall relationship with your (mother, father, parents), would you say you are very close, close, less than close, or distant?

Do you help out your parents in any of the following ways? (Go through list.)

...Help out when someone is ill.
...Do errands, shop, cook, or do other everyday household chores.
...Help out with money

Do your parents help you out in any of the following ways? (Go through list.)

...Help out when someone is ill.
...Do errands, shop, cook, or do other everyday household chores.
...Help out with money

Siblings

How many living brothers and sisters do you have? (IF NONE, SKIP TO OTHER RELATIVES)

How many of them (Does he or she) live in the {NAME OF COMMUNITY} area?

How many of them do you feel very close to?

Other Relativews

Besides your parents, siblings and children, how many other relatives do you have that you feel close to? (IF NONE, SKIP TO FRINEDS)

Of these close relatives, how many live in the {NAME OF COMMUNITY} area?

How many of these relatives do you see at least once a month?

How many of these relatives do you correspond with, either by letter or telephone, a few times a year?

Friends

How many close friends do you have? These are people that you feel at ease with, can talk to about private matters, and can call on for help. (IF NONE SKIP SECTION)

How many of these friends live in the {NAME OF COMMUNITY} area?

How many of your close friends do you see at least once a month?

How many of these friends do you exchange letters or telephone calls with a few times per year?

Would you say that all of your friends know each other, that most of them know each other, that some of them know each other, or that few of them do? (Accept "none".)

Do you have any personal friends that you would describe as community leaders?

If you were looking for work, how willing do you think your friends would be to give you job leads? Do you think they would be very willing, somewhat willing, only a little willing, or not willing at all?

FOLLOW-UP: and how helpful do you think these leads from friends would be?
Do you think they would be very helpful, somewhat helpful, only a little helpful, or not helpful at all?

How willing are your friends to give you advise on finances and business? Very willing, somewhat willing, only a little willing, or not willing at all?

FOLLOW-UP: and how helpful is this advice? Very helpful, somewhat helpful, only a little helpful, or not helpful at all?

Race and Friendship

* Of the people you count as good friends -- that is adults that you either get together with frequently or, if they live elsewhere, that you try to keep in close touch with -- how many are a different race than you?

(IF NONE, SKIP FOLLOWUP)

Thinking now of the closest friend you have of a different race, how do you know this person? [Pre-codes: through work, through mutual friends, through family members (including in-laws), through marriage (spouse), as neighbors]

Personal Support Summary Questions*

* Can you count on anyone to provide you with emotional support? (Someone you could talk over problems with or who could help you make a difficult decision.) (IF NO, SKIP NEXT QUESTION)

* In the past twelve months, who has been most helpful in providing you with emotional support? (DO NOT PROMPT) [PRECODES: spouse, daughter, son, sibling, other relative, neighbors, coworkers, church members, clergy, club members, professionals, other friends, no one]

* When you need some extra help financially, can you count on anyone to help you? (To pay a bill or the rent, or to provide clothes or food.)

* In the past twelve months, who has been most helpful in offering you financial assistance? (DO NOT PROMPT) [PRECODES: have not needed help, spouse, daughter, son, sibling, other relative, neighbors, coworkers, church members, clergy, club members, professionals, other friends, no one (SEEK CLARIFICATION)]

School Block [for Respondents with school aged children]

On average, how many nights per week do you have dinner at home with your children?
Of these times, how often is the TV on?

Let's talk a moment about your child's/children's school. Would you say you know most of your child's/children's teachers by name?

During the past school year [ALTER DEPENDING ON SURVEY TIMING], did you attend any school open houses or meet some of your child's/children's teachers privately?

During the past school year, did you attend any school events, like a play, concert, or sporting event?

During the past school year, did you go to any other school-related public meetings?

Overall, how much impact do you think people like you can have in making the schools better: no impact at all, a small impact, a moderate impact, or a big impact?

Sociability, neighborhood, and other civic activities

This next sequence of questions gets at a variety of civic and social activities with a repetitive format question. (It is drawn from a commercial survey.) Some version of this question form drawing on various sub-elements asked is highly recommended.*

Now, I'm going to ask you some questions about things you may have done in the past twelve months. For each of these items, I want you just to give me your best guess, don't worry that you might be off a little.

How many times in the past twelve months have you gone to the movies?

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) attended any public meeting at which a local issue was discussed? [in civic leadership dimension - see 10 dimensions of social capital]

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) gone bowling?

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) played cards with others?
[in informal socializing dimension - see 10 dimensions of social capital]

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) gone to a club meeting? [in civic leadership dimension - see 10 dimensions of social capital]

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) gone to a health club or exercise class?

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) entertained people in your home?
[in informal socializing dimension - see 10 dimensions of social capital]

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) used the internet?

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) gone to an art museum or other place that displays artwork?

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) gone to a science, natural history, or history museum?

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) heard live music at a concert, club, or theater?

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) gone to a bar or tavern?

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) played a team sport?

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) gone on a picnic?

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) visited relatives in person or had them visit you?
[in informal socializing dimension - see 10 dimensions of social capital]

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) hung out with friends at a park, shopping mall, or other public place? [in informal socializing dimension - see 10 dimensions of social capital]

(How many times in the past twelve months have you) socialized with coworkers outside of work? [in informal socializing dimension - see 10 dimensions of social capital]

Work

Now I want to ask a few questions about work. Are you currently employed full-time, part-time, are you retired, or are you not employed for pay? (IF NOT WORKING, SKIP SECTION)

On a typical day, about how long does it take you to get to work? (in minutes or hours)

How many people at your workplace do you know personally, by name?

How many of these people are close friends of yours?

There are a number of ways people hear about jobs such as from other people, from ads, and from employment agencies can you tell me how you found out about your current job?

PROGRAM SPECIFIC TIES AND SOCIAL CAPITAL

This is the area in which organizations are most on their own without the help of the guide. Many of the kinds of social ties that you want to be probing may be found in the above sections on community attachment, or family ties, or workplace, or school-aged ties, etc. The key question is what kind of tie the program or activity affects. Recall from the discussion in the guide that these come in six types:

INTERNAL TRUST AND COOPERATION

The issue here is whether program participants trust and respect the staff. This trust may be essential for educational programs or other activities in which staff members are asking for participants to change or to believe them. A hypothetical sequence might go like this: [NOTE THAT THESE QUESTIONS MAY BE INAPPROIPRIATE IN THE PRE-SURVEY, BUT APPROPRIATE IN THE POST-SURVEY]

How many (staff members) have you had regular dealings with/met with regularly?
(REST OF QUESTIONS REFER TO HE/SHE/THEM AS NEEDED)

Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statements:

They (staff/volunteers) are good at their job.
They know what they are doing.
They treated me with respect.
They treated the other clients/patrons/participants with respect"

If these questions are not relevant in the pre-survey, then it may make sense to establish expectations, such as (in above format). "I expect that this program will help me." (This should be tailored to be as specific as possible.)

COOPERATION AND SUPPORT AMONG PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

Here, the social capital "success" of the program is thought to hinge on how well the participants connect with one another, as sources of support, as information resources, or to facilitate collective decision-making. Again, these questions are inappropriate for a true "pre" interview, although we may wish to know whether participants know each other coming in.

An example of this maybe something like, "Here is a list of (your classmates, e.g.), do you know any of them?" and "How did you find out about this program/event?" The right post-survey questions will depend on how long after the end of the program cycle the post-survey is conducted.

If the post-survey is done in an EXIT INTERVIEW:

Would you count any of the people you have met here as friends?

Have you done any socializing with the people you have met here?

In the agree-disagree format, we can ask:

I feel I have little or nothing in common with (these people).

I would like to spend more time with these people.

I learned a lot (about...) from (these people). [with various possible fill-ins: about'different ethnic and racial groups, about'the value of working together, about'the importance of friendships,...

(And so on, perhaps including questions of trust)

If the post-survey is done, for example, 6 months or a year after the end of the program, the questions may take the following form:

Have you been in contact with (the other participants, perhaps a list of names) in the past two weeks?"

(plus the EXIT INTERVIEW questions above would be appropriate)

PERSONAL SUPPORT NETWORKS

In these cases, a program goal is to reconnect participants with basic sources of support, such as family, friends, neighbors, and community resources. These are general social capital questions, so are included in the above discussion (although a more expansive set of questions may be desired).

COMMUNITY AS PARTICIPANT

Here, the "program" is expected to have a diffuse effect on the whole community (for example in an arts festival) through the direct participants (who may have "dropped in" or informally participated in a public event, etc.). No PRE-PROGRAM interview is possible (because we don't know who is going to show up ahead of time) and the before/after format becomes a right-after/much-later format. Again, the desired social capital effects are general and therefore, covered in the first section above, but the substance of the program may point to specific types of ties or involvement (it may be designed to stimulate voluntarism, for example) so these areas would obviously be emphasized and expanded in the interviews.

The "right after" interview would establish a set of expectations for change or action (along with whatever content etc. evaluation that you might want to do) as well as set a baseline for current levels of involvement in voluntary associations, voluntarism, links to the community and so forth.

BUILDING SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

The evaluating organization may seek to create or strengthen informal citizen groups. Examples might include the police wanting to launch self-sustaining crime watch groups, or an organization wanting to create local chapters or clubs. Here, much of the data collection would be at the organization level (how many members, attendance, financing, number of events, and so on), but questions about "PROGRAM SPECIFIC TIES AND SOCIAL CAPITAL" above may be appropriate as well.

DEMOGRAPHIC ITEMS

Here are some recommended demographic question that probably would be good to include at the end of the survey, unless you have a thematic reason for needing this information earlier. [Take out questions embedded in other questions on year in the community, marital status, family composition, and household size, and race]

* (Finally,) I need to ask you a few additional questions about yourself that we will use to be sure our sample is representative of the whole population. First, what year were you born in?

Are you male or female?

Are you currently married, separated, divorced, widowed, or have you never married?

Currently married (skip follow-up question about living with a partner)
Separated
Divorced
Widowed (skip follow-up question about living with a partner)
Never Married
Refused (skip follow-up question about living with a partner)

FOLLOW-UP: Are you currently living with a partner? (Yes/No)

How many children, aged 17 or younger, live in your household?

IF you have children under age 17 in the household, how many of these children are six years old or older?

Do you or your family own the place where you are living now, or do you rent?

What is the highest grade of school or year of college you have completed? (Less than high school (Grade 11 or less); High school diploma (including GED); Some college; Assoc. degree (2 year) or specialized technical training; Bachelor's degree; Some graduate training; Graduate or professional degree)
(IF LESS THAN HIGH SCHOOL) Do you have a GED or high school equivalency?

How many years have you lived in your community? (IF NECESSARY, PROMPT WITH CATEGORIES) (Less than one year; One to five years; Six to ten years; Eleven to twenty years; More than twenty years; All my life)

Are you an American citizen?

Race/ethnicity: Do you consider yourself Hispanic or Latino?

If Hispanic/Latino, would you say your background is Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or something else?
If Hispanic/Latino, do you consider yourself to be White or Black?

If not Hispanic/Latino, do you consider yourself to be White, Black or African American, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American, or some other race?
If other race, please specify

If Asian or Pacific Islander, would you say your background is Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Asian Indian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, or something else?

RELIGION, IF NEED TO KNOW: what is your religious preference? Is it Protestant, Catholic, another type of Christian, Jewish, some other religion, or no religion?

INCOME, ASK ONLY IF YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW: I'm going to read a list of income groups, stop me when I come to the one that best describes the income earned by your whole family in 2000: less than $15,000; at least $15,000 but less than $20,000; at least $20,000 but less than $30,000; at least $30,000 but less than $40,000; at least $40,000 but less than $50,000; at least $50,000 but less than $75,000, more than $75,000.

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