Methods
Summary
Advisory bodies
World Health Organisation, Impact Canada, Privy Council Office Public Opinion Research, and Canadian academic advisory committee with experts in public health, behavioural science and epidemiology.
Survey
Both quantitative and qualitative questions to examine citizens’ perceptions of risk; trust in health authorities and recommendations; acceptance of recommended behaviours; barriers/drivers to recommended behaviours; knowledge and misperceptions; and stigma.Data collection
Approximately 2000 participants; consisting of 50% women and 50% men for each age group (18 to 34; 35 to 54; 55+) and for each region; data will also capture citizens’ employment status pre and post COVID-19, level of education and size of community; collected through a rolling poll with 6 waves of data collection between April and June.Data Analysis
Exploratory data analyses examining descriptive & inferential statistics to be conducted by IIU to identify emerging trends.Dissemination
Publishing on Impact Canada website, sharing with Government of Canada and the Province/Territory communities.Frequently Asked Questions
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To use data collected from an online survey to inform COVID-19 outbreak response efforts, including policy, interventions and communications.What is the overall purpose of the study?
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What is the focus of the study?
Overall, research questions relate to:
- How changes in risk perceptions may relate to knowledge and misinformation;
- Whether participants report that they are aware of specific response measures and whether being aware of them influences risk perceptions;
- Whether risk perceptions are related to preparedness and the use of protective behaviours;
- Knowledge and misinformation about preparedness and preventive measures and whether the level of knowledge is related to certain sources of information; and
- Reactions to announcements and programs from the Government of Canada to help combat the COVID-19 outbreak, and its associated effects.
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How is the study being carried out?
A 15 minute web survey will be issued every 14 days to a group of randomly recruited adult Canadians (18 years of age and older). The same participants will be interviewed each time. New participants will only be added when an original participant stops participating. The group of participants will consist of 50% women and 50% men for each age group (18 to 34; 35 to 54; 55+), and for each region:
- Atlantic Canada (Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick);
- Quebec;
- Ontario;
- Manitoba/Saskatchewan;
- Alberta/Northwest Territories;
- British Columbia/Yukon.
Participants will be informed of their rights under the Privacy Act, Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and Access to Information Act. These rights will be protected throughout the research process.
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The study protocol and adapted questionnaire is published on the PsychArchives repository, as recommended by the WHO.Where can I find the study protocol?
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Results will be published as they become available (without disclosing data provided by each participant), in the form of tables and figures, following collection and analysis, on the Impact Canada website for Canadians to view.Where can I find the results?
Study details
Objective
To inform COVID-19 outbreak response efforts, including policy, interventions and communications.
Methods
An online panel of Canadian participants from across the country will be completing a 15 minute survey every 2 weeks.
Important Links
Contact Us
For more information, contact the Impact and Innovation Unit of the Privy Council Office.