Guidance

Community and Engagement Survey 2026/27 Cognitive Testing Findings: Summary

Updated 30 September 2026

Applies to England

March 2026

1. Overview

This summary covers both rounds of cognitive testing for the Community and Engagement Survey 2026/27 (due to start in May 2026). Round 1 interviews took place from the 16th to 19th February 2026, and round 2 from the 10th to 12th March 2026.

2. Sample

Demographic	Round 1 (n=)	Round 2 (n=)
Sex
Female	4	4
Male	4	4
Age
16–34	2	2
35–49	2	2
50–64	2	2
65+	2	2
Ethnicity
White / White British	6	6
Other	2	2
Education (highest qualification)
Degree or higher	3	3
A-level or equivalent	3	2
GCSE / equivalent or below	2	2

3. Summary of key findings

1.Respondents often answer impact questions too broadly unless they are explicitly anchored to their earlier answers

Respondents consistently answered impact questions by thinking about their wider lives (e.g. careers, regular activities) rather than the specific arts and cultural events or activities selected in preceding questions. This weakens attribution and risks over-claiming impact.

2.Repeat questions with long answer lists can lead to retro-fitting to answer options or doubts over causality

Some of the answer strategies exhibited by respondents may influence quality of the data collected. These include fitting the outcomes in the answer list to the events attended and activities participated in (rather than the other way round) and questioning whether these experiences have caused the outcomes in the answer list or the outcomes are the result of broader lifestyle changes.

3.Respondents have consistently low awareness of what arts and cultural organisations are doing on climate change

Answers are often formulated there and then rather than being based on existing knowledge. As a result, they reflect general attitudes to environmental responsibility rather than informed judgements about the sector. 

4.Questions on transport provision revealed that public transport is rarely seen as a primary barrier to attending arts and cultural events

Responses varied widely depending on car use, urban or rural location (particularly proximity to a major city), and day of travel. The hypothetical question asking about the impact of improved transport prompted speculative answers based on unrealistic expectations of what could change.

5.The headline news question can provide high-quality data with some reworking to improve clarity

Use of the term ‘National’ prompted some confusion and there is a concern that the overall measure could be misinterpreted. However, the understanding of ‘trust’ is consistent and with some tightening of the sources to consider at each statement, this question will work.

Please note that whilst reviewing the findings from Round 1 of the cognitive testing, we were also supported by Alice McGee, one of Verian’s experts on questionnaire design. Some of the recommended wording changes for Round 2 draw on her experience and knowledge of how simplifying the language in survey questions can help respondents better understand them and improve the accuracy of their responses.

Please also note that whilst final recommendations were made based on the cognitive testing, in a small number of cases questions evolved further after testing. Please see the CES 2026/27 questionnaire for final wording. 

More detailed analysis by question is available in the Annex A: Community and Engagement Survey 2026/27 Cognitive Testing Findings.