The survey series was launched in 1983 at the University of Tampere, and was initially financed by the energy company Imatran Voima (later known as the Fortum Corporation). Finnish public opinion on energy policy issues was studied by annual mail surveys. Comparative data allow detailed empirical analysis and systematic follow-up of citizen perceptions, opinions, beliefs, knowledge, values, and attitudes on these matters.
The surveys were carried out by Yhdyskuntatutkimus and jointly produced by the Fortum Corporation (Imatran Voima until 1998) and Teollisuuden Voima (TVO). The Finnish Energy Industries (ET) was responsible for publishing the results from 2004 onwards. The data collection for this series has been finished, but the same themes are studied in the Finnish Energy Attitudes series.
In the survey, Finnish public opinion on energy policy issues was studied. The dataset is the first part of an extensive survey series. The respondents' conceptions of various energy issues, their evaluations, opinions, beliefs, assessments, attitudes and knowledge about them were studied by presenting several statements about energy production. The respondents were asked in what direction should energy production be developed in Finland and how important they thought the various factors connected with energy production to be (e.g. price, low pollution, availability, degree of domestic added value, safety and secureness of production).
Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, size of municipality of residence, province of residence, occupation, education, and political orientation.
In the population central register, 3,750 persons were randomly chosen into the sample. The respondents were aged between 15 and 70 years. The target group consisted of four separate samples. The whole country was represented by a sample of 2,000 persons. Also included in the target group were the samples from Rauma (500 persons), Loviisa (250 persons) and metropolitan area of Helsinki (1,000 persons). 75.8% of the whole country's target group responded. After the original questionnaires were mailed, the respondents were sent two reminders.