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Please be sure to complete all parts of the questionnaire.   

Demographics

1. What is your age?

   55-59  60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85-89 90-94 95+

    

2. What Gender are you?

   Male             Female
   

3. What is your marital status?

   Married/de facto Never married Widowed Separated/divorced Other partnered

    

4. Were you born in Australia?

   Yes                    No
   

5. Is English your first language?

    Yes                  No
   

6. What is your highest educational level?

   Completed elementary school Completed high school Graduated College or University Postgraduate qualification

 7. What is your current yearly household income?

 8.Do you live in a

9. In what type of accommodation do you live?

 Private House or Unit that you own 
 Private House or Unit that you rent 
 Retirement Village 
Other (Please Specify)  

10. What is your postcode?

11. With whom do you live?

Alone Spouse/partner Family Friend or friends Other residents

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Intensity and history of the Internet use

 

        1.How many hours in the last week did you use the Internet?

Less than 4 hours Between 4 to 10 hours Between 10 to 16 hours More than 16 hours

      2.How many days in the last week did you use the Internet?

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days 6 days 7 days

3.How many weeks in the last 4 did you use the Internet?

1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks

4.About how many years have you used the Internet?

Less than 1 year 2 to 4 years 5 to 7 years More than 7 years

       5.Where is the computer you usually use? If you use more than one computer, select the one you use   most often.

At home, where I live At a friend's or relative's home School, University, College Public library (or other free public access) Internet cafe (or other pay for use) At my or someone else's work place Elsewhere

6.Which of the following do you use on the Internet? [Check boxes] You may select more than one.

 

Email
Email discussion list
The World Wide Web
Search engines (e.g. Google, Yahoo etc)
Chat rooms or instant messages
Bulletin boards or threaded discussion lists
Interactive games with other people
Web log
File download (music, pictures, FTP etc)
File sharing or shared workspace
Web phone or voice over Internet
Web cam
A mobile phone to receive email or browse the World Wide Web
Web (interactive) TV
Other  (Please specify)

 

7.Has using the Internet changed how much time you spend:

      - Talking to people face to face

     More 
      No change
      Less

-Talking to people on the telephone

 More
 No change
 Less

-Getting out and about

 More
 No change
 Less

-Pursuing hobbies or interests

 More
 No change
 Less

-Doing paid or voluntary work

 More
 No change
 Less

 

8.Has using the Internet changed how satisfied you feel with your

-General health

 Better
 No change
 Worse

-Contact with family and friends

 Better
 No change
 Worse
 

-Involvement with hobbies or interests

 Better
 No change
 Worse

-Contribution to community life

 Better
 No change
 Worse

-Overall happiness

 Better
 No change
 Worse

 

This is copyright. Russell, Hughes and Campbell, 2004 (Older people and the internet, OPTI).

 

The Internet Breadth Scale

 

9. Please read each statement and click on  a number 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 which indicates how much the statement applied to you.  Do not spend too much time on any statement

The rating scale is as follows:

1= several times a day
2= about once a day
3= 3-5 days a week
4= 1-2 days a week
5= every few weeks
6= less often
7= never

Do you use the Internet to:

Getting local news	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Finding information about national or international news	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Finding information about local events	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Getting information about movies, books or other leisure activities	1   2   3   4   5  6   7
Getting information for a hobby	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Getting information for work	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Killing time	1   2   3   4  5  6   7
Releasing tension	1   2   3   4   5  6   7
Overcoming boredom	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Being entertained	1   2   3   4   5  6   7
Playing games	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Downloading or listening music	1   2   3   4   5  6   7
Getting information about product you might want to buy	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Making an airplane or travel reservation	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Buying a product or service	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Investing money in a stock or mutual fund or handing your finances	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Meeting new people for social purposes	1   2   3   4   5  6   7
Participating in online discussion groups	1   2   3   4   5  6   7
Communicating with people you first met online	1   2   3   4   5  6   7
Communicating with friends in your local area	1   2   3   4   5  6   7
Communicating with friends NOT in your local area	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Communicating with relatives in your local area	1   2   3   4   5  6   7
Communicating with relatives NOT local area	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Accessing an online community website	1   2   3   4   5  6   7
Accessing a web site about the local area	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Participating in an online group	1   2   3   4   5  6   7
Posting factual information on a web site or group communication system	1  2   3   4   5  6   7
Expressing ideas and options on a web site or group communication system	1   2   3   4   5  6   7

 

This  Expanded frequency of Internet use scale is copyright.   Shklovski, Kraut, Kiesler and Cumming (2004).

 

 10.Have you participated in an on-line community event involving more than 5 people (e.g. web conference, chat room, voice conference, etc.)?

 Never
 Once
 More than once

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Extroversion scale

 

Here are a number of characteristics that may or may not apply to you. For example, do you agree that you are someone who likes to spend time with others? Please choose  statements to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with that statement.

The rating scale is as follows:

1= disagree strongly

2= disagree

3= neutral

4= agree

5= agree strongly

 

I am a person who:

Is talkative	1  2   3   4   5
Tends to find fault with others	1  2   3   4   5
Does a thorough job	1   2   3   4   5
Has a wide range of interests	1   2   3   4   5
Is depressed, blue	1  2   3   4   5
Is original, comes up with new ideas	1  2   3   4   5
Is reserved	1  2   3   4   5
Is helpful and unselfish with others	1  2   3   4   5
Prefers the conventional, traditional	1   2   3   4  5
Can be somewhat careless	1 2   3   4   5
Is relaxed, handles stress well	1  2   3   4   5
Is curious about many different things	1  2   3   4   5
Is full of energy	1  2   3   4   5
Prefers work that is routine	1  2   3   4   5
Starts quarrels with others	1  2   3   4   5
Is a reliable worker	1  2   3   4   5
Can be tense	1   2   3   4   5
Is ingenious, deep thinker	1   2   3   4   5
Tends to be quiet	1   2   3   4   5
Values artistic, aesthetic experiences	1   2   3   4   5
Tends to be disorganized	1   2   3   4   5
Is emotionally stable, not easily upset	1   2   3   4   5
Has an active imagination	1   2   3   4   5
Perseveres until the task is finished	1   2   3   4   5
Is sometimes rude to others	1   2   3   4   5
Does things efficiently	1   2   3   4   5
Is inventive	1   2   3   4   5
Is generally trusting	1   2   3   4   5
Tends to be lazy	1  2   3   4   5
Is clear-thinking, intelligent	1  2   3   4   5
Worries a lot	1   2   3   4   5
Wants things to be simple and clear-cut	1   2   3   4   5
Is sometimes shy, inhibited	1  2   3   4   5
Generates a lot of enthusiasm	1   2   3   4   5
Has a forgiving nature	1   2   3   4   5
Has an assertive personality	1   2   3   4   5
Can be cold and aloof	1   2   3   4   5
Can be moody	1   2   3   4   5
Is considerate and kind to almost everyone	1   2   3   4   5
Remains calm in tense situation	1   2   3   4   5
Is outgoing, sociable	1   2   3   4   5
Makes plan and follows through with them	1   2   3   4   5
Gets nervous easily	1   2   3   4   5
likes to reflect, play with ideas	1   2   3   4   5
Has few artistic interests	1   2   3   4   5
likes to cooperate with others	1   2   3   4   5
Is easily distracted	1   2   3   4   5
Is sophisticated in art, music, or literature	1   2   3   4   5

John, O. P., Donahue, E. M., & Kentle, R. L. (1991). The “big five” inventory—versions 4a and 54 (Tech. Report). Berkeley, CA: Institute of Personality Assessment and Research. Reprinted by permission

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Self-perception of health questionnaire

Please read each statement and click on the response that best indicates how much the statement applied to you.

This is copyright.The final of version 27,

PR Rao, R Shobhana, A Lavanya, C Padma, V Vijay, A Ramachandran

Social and emotional loneliness scale for adults

Using the scale below, please respond to the following statements.

The rating scale is as follows:

1= Disagree strongly

2= Disagree somewhat

3= Disagree a little

4= Don't know

5= Agree a little

6= Agree somewhat

7= Agree strongly

     This is copyright. Short version of the social and emotional loneliness scale for adults.

Ditommaso, Brannen and Best 2004.

Social Capital Questionnaire

In the following questions please click on the most appropriate response:

1. Do you feel valued by society?

   No
   Not much
   Yes
   Very much
   
   

2. If you were to die tomorrow, would you be satisfied with what your life has meant?

   No
   Not much
   Yes
   Very much
   
   

3. Have you ever picked up other people’s rubbish in a public place?

   No
   Not much
   Yes
   Frequently
   
   

4. Some say that by helping others you help yourself in the long run. Do you agree?

   No
   Not much
   Yes
   Very much
   
   

5. Do you help out a local group as a volunteer?

   No
   Not at all
   Yes
   Often (at least once a week)
   
   

6. Do you feel safe walking down your street after dark?

   No
   Not much
   Yes
   Very much
   
   

7. Do you agree that most people can be trusted?

   No
   Not much
   Yes
   Very much
   
   

8. If someone’s car breaks down outside your house, do you invite them into your home to use the phone?

   No
   Not at all
   Yes
   Definitely
   
   

9. Can you get help from friends when you need it?

   No
   Not at all
   Yes
   Definitely
   
   

10. Does your area have a reputation for being a safe place?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

11. If you were caring for a child and needed to go out for a while, would you ask a neighbor or help?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

12. Have you visited a neighbor in the past week?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Frequently
    
    

     Have you attended a local community event in the past 6 months (e.g. church fete, school concert, craft exhibition)?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Several (at least 3)
    
    

13. Are you an active member of a local organization or club (e.g., sport, craft, social club)?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Very active
    
    

14. Does your local community feel like home?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

15. In the past week, how many phone conversations have you had with friends?

    No thing
    Just once
    1 to 3
    Many (at least 6)
    
    

16. How many people did you talk to yesterday?

    None at all
    Some (at least 5)
    Many (at least 10)
    More than 10
    
    

17. Over the weekend do you have lunch/dinner with other people outside your household?

    No
    Not much
    Yes
    Nearly always
    
    

18. Do you go outside your local community to visit your family?

    No
    Not much
    Yes
    Nearly always
    
    

19. When you go shopping in your local area are you likely to run into friends and acquaintances?

    No
    Not much
    Yes
    Nearly always
    
    

20. If you need information to make a life decision, do you know where to find that information?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

21. In the past 6 months, have you done a favour for a sick neighbor?

    No
    Not at all

    Yes
    Frequently (at least 5 times)
    
    

22. Are you on a management committee or organizing committee for any local group or organization?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Several (at least 3)
    
    

23. In the past 3 years, have you ever joined a local community action to deal with an emergency?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Frequently (at least 5 times)
    
    

24. In the past 3 years have you ever taken part in a local community project or working bee?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Very much
    
    

25. Have you ever been part of a project to organize a new service in your area (e.g., youth club, scout hall, child care, and recreation for disabled)?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Several times (at least 3)
    
    

26. If you disagree with what everyone else agreed on, would you feel free to speak out?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

27.  If you have a dispute with your neighbors (e.g., over fences or dogs) are you willing to seek mediation?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

28. Do you think that multiculturalism makes life in your area better?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

29. Do you enjoy living among people of different life styles?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

30. If a stranger, someone different, moves into your street, would they be accepted by the neighbors?

    No
    Not easily
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

31. Do you feel part of the local geographic community where you work?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    

     

    The following four questions are for those in paid employment. If you are not in paid employment go to the section titled "Community".

    
    

32. Are your workmates also your friends?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

33. Do you feel part of a team at work?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

34. At work do you take the initiative to do what needs to be done even if no one asks you to?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Definitely
    
    

35. In the past week at work, have you helped a workmate even though it was not in your job description?

    No
    Not at all
    Yes
    Several times (at least 5)
    
    

    This is copyright. Measuring Social Capital in Five Communities in NSW - A Practitioners Guide - P. Bullen & J. Onyx - January 1998 .

     

    ---

    Community

    Below are some statements that you may agree or disagree with.  Please be open and honest in your responses. 

    The rating scale is as follows:

    1= disagree strongly

    2= disagree

    3= neutral

    4= agree

    5= agree strongly

    How strongly do you agree with these statements?

     

    The world is too complex for me.	1   2   3   4   5
    I don't feel I belong to anything I'd call a community.	1   2   3   4   5
    People who do a favor expect nothing in return.	1   2   3   4   5
    I have something valuable to give to the world.	1   2   3   4   5
    The world is becoming a better place for everyone.	1   2   3   4   5
    I cannot make sense of what's going on in the world.	1   2   3   4   5
    Society has stopped making progress.	1   2   3   4   5
    People do not care about other people's problems.	1   2   3   4   5
    I find it easy to predict what will happen next in society.	1   2   3   4   5
    Society isn't improving for people like me.	1   2   3   4   5
    I believe that people are kind.	1   2   3   4   5
    I feel I belong to an online community on the Internet.	1   2   3   4   5
    Information on the Internet is as trustworthy as information from television and newspapers.	1   2   3   4   5
    I can find people who share my exact interests more easily on the Internet than I can in my daily life.	1   2   3   4   5
    Talking with people on the Internet is as safe as communicating with people in other ways.	1   2   3   4   5
    The Internet has allowed me to communicate with all kinds of interesting people I otherwise would never have interacted with.	1   2   3   4   5
    The Internet isolates people from one another.	1   2   3   4   5

    This Community scale is copyright.1999 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.

     

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Well-being

On a scale of 1 - 10 (where 1 means you feel completely dissatisfied, 10 means you feel completely satisfiedand the middle of the scale is 5, which means you feel neutral), please answer the following questions.

Thinking about your own life and personal circumstances, how satisfied are you with your

life as a whole?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Turning now to various areas of your life, how satisfied are you:

1. with your standard of living?

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
   
   

2. with your health?

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
   

3. with what you are currently achieving in life?

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
   
   

4. with your personal relationships?

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
   
   

5. with how safe you feel?

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
   

6. with feeling part of your community?

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
   

7. with your future security?

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
   

8. with your religion or spirituality?

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
   
   

9. with your financial security?

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
   
   

10. with life in Australia?

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
    
    

11. with the economic situation in Australia?

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
    
    

12. with the state of the natural environment in Australia?

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
    

13. with the social conditions in Australia?

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
    

14. with government in Australia?

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

    
    

15. with business in Australia?

       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 16. with national security in Australia?

        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 17. How depressed do you generally feel?

        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 18. How happy do you generally feel?

         1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 19. How much pain do you generally experience each day?

         1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

  20.  Has anything happened to you recently make you feel happier or sadder than normal?

         Yes, happier
                Yes, sadder
                  No

   On a scale or 1 to 10 how strong would you rate this influence?

          1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

This is copyright.Australian well-being index, Survey 12, Report 12, October 2004.

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