The Social Lab is an independent centre for social indicators research at IPS. It was established in November 2013. The centre conducts research on social perceptions, attitudes and behaviours in Singapore using the most robust standards in survey methodology and statistical analyses. Researchers also collect and analyse panel data to complement cross-sectional and time-series data.
The changing social landscape of Singapore means we need reliable data and high-quality analysis to track and evaluate shifts in demographic trends and adaptive processes. Insights gained through objective social science research can enhance our understanding of social attitudes and resilience, and knowledge of emerging socio-economic challenges confronting Singapore. As the sense-making arm of IPS, Social Lab seeks to work closely with researchers from government and academia to support informed decision-making and policy formulation for a new multicultural setting. Its long-term aim is to be a national resource centre for longitudinal data.
Social Lab is headed by IPS Senior Research Fellow Dr Leong Chan-Hoong and Adjunct Senior Research Fellow Mr Freddy Hong. Its Academic Adviser is Associate Professor Tan Ern Ser from the Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore.
People
Research
Dr Tan Ern Ser
Associate Professor
Dr Leong Chan-Hoong
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Natalie Pang
Senior Research Fellow
Freddy Hong
Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
Paveena Seah
Senior Research Analyst
Varian Lim
Research Analyst
Eugene Teng
Research Analyst
Operations
Tan Gek Jee
Associate Director (Operations)
Tang Hwee Noy
Manager
Er Kea Wee
Project Associate
Zulkarnaen bin Zainol
Project Associate
Oh Zi Qi
Management Assistant Officer
Administration
Yvonne Loh
Associate Director (Strategic Planning and Corporate Services)
Christopher Lim
Executive
Michelle Teo
Specialist Associate
Research
Ongoing
- Singapore Panel Study on Social Dynamics
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Social Lab’s flagship project is a
panel study on social dynamics. The study tracks changes in the lives of Singaporeans over time, through a representative panel of 5,000 households across Singapore. The purpose is to measure family relationships, social mobility and societal attitudes relevant to national identity over an extended period. Launched in 2014, the longitudinal study is the first of its kind in Singapore to reach out to a wide-ranging, random sample of households through in-depth, face-to-face interviews by trained surveyors.
- Youth Study on Transitions and Evolving Pathways in Singapore (Youth STEPS)
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The study aims to build a holistic understanding of youth in Singapore, including their educational/career pathways and trajectories, life outcomes and the factors that contribute to these desired outcomes. It involves a nationally-representative panel who will be recruited and tracked over six years. Youth aged between 17 and 19, and 20 and 24, will be surveyed on their sense of rootedness, family relationships, societal engagement and economic mobility and the findings aim to help policymakers formulate more relevant youth policies and programmes.
- The Makan Index: A Survey of Hawker Food Prices
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In 2016, IPS Social Lab conducted a survey of hawker food prices and created the
Makan Index, an index of relative hawker food prices. The index acted as a proxy indicator for the cost of living in Singapore, where its relationship to various socio-economic factors was also investigated. Social Lab is updating the
Makan Index in 2017 with certain improvements and refinements. Among them will be a survey of the number of halal-certified stalls and an examination of the effect that food places run by social enterprises have on food prices of eating places in the vicinity.
- Study on Perceptions of Singapore’s Built Heritage and Landmarks
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The IPS Social Lab is conducting a
study to understand how Singaporeans’ perceptions of physical heritage influence their sense of national identity, national pride and personal well-being. It aims to gain a deeper understanding of what Singaporeans perceive as important landmarks and buildings in Singapore, and why. Such research will aid the planning and implementation of heritage conservation policies.
- State of the Overseas Singaporeans Study
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As of 2016, there were an estimated 213,400 Singaporeans living, working or studying abroad.
This survey explores the demographic and socio-economic profile of overseas Singaporeans, their attitudes toward Singapore and returning home, as well as their general concerns and views towards outreach and engagement programmes. This study is a follow-up to an online survey conducted in 2013, which interviewed over 3,000 respondents.
Completed
- Survey on Social Values and Governance
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A survey of 12,000 Singapore citizens aged 21 or older will be conducted to get a sensing of citizens’ perceptions and attitudes in areas such as social values, governance, municipal issues, cost of living, housing, integration and emigration. The survey will also investigate Singaporeans’ perceptions of key institutions and political attitudes, and gauge the extent of political legitimacy.
- Study on Perceptions of Singapore’s History
- Applied Study in Polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education Review Survey
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The Applied Study in Polytechnics and ITE Review (ASPIRE) Committee was set up to examine ways to strengthen the applied education pathway in our polytechnics and ITE, and to propose feasible strategies to achieve this. This was to ensure that our polytechnic and ITE graduates have good career and academic progression prospects. IPS Social Lab conducted one of the surveys in February 2014 where its findings were incorporated into the policy recommendations in the final
ASPIRE report. Among the recommendations were to lengthen the duration of internships, emphasise vocational hands-on training and enhance academic learning.
- Report on Singaporeans’ Attitudes to National Service
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The
survey asked 1,251 Singapore citizens between July and September 2013 what National Service (NS) means to them, tapping on their personal NS experiences. The belief in the need for NS; the level of family support for NS; perceived employers’ attitudes toward NS; perceived policy fairness; and training safety and quality of medical support in NS, were some of the issues examined. The
study delved into emerging issues, in particular, the opinions regarding women and permanent residents contributing to defence. Finally, it examined how the NS institution could be strengthened to make servicemen feel appreciated. Read more
here.
Reference Materials (Read More)
