Study title

University Students' Views on the Future 2021

Dataset ID Number

FSD3603

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3603
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd3603

Data Type

Qualitative

Authors

• Salonen, Anna Sofia (University of Helsinki. Faculty of Theology)
• Laiho, Marjukka (University of Eastern Finland. Philosophical Faculty)

Abstract

The dataset consists of self-administered written texts by university students on their future expectations. The writing invitation asked participants to imagine what the world and their own lives would look like in 2050. Participants were directed to imagine themselves in 2050 and write a letter to their present selves from the perspective of their future selves. In the letter they were asked to describe what the world and their own lives were like in 2050.

The writing guidelines instructed participants to start the letter by describing the imaginary situation from which they would write the letter. Participants were then asked to describe what had changed for the better in the world and how this change for the better had been made possible. Participants were also allowed to write freely on topics of their choice. A series of supporting questions offered the opportunity to reflect on, for example, the positive events and developments that had occurred in the world and in participants' lives. The writing invitation also referred to issues such as climate change and COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of those on the economy and political decision-making. These themes were also central to several of the texts that were received in response to the writing invitation.

Background information included the participant's gender, age group, field of study, and stage of study. The data were organised into an easy to use HTML version at FSD.

Keywords

COVID-19; climate change; expectation; future expectations; students (college); tertiary education

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Higher and further education (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Environment and conservation (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Salonen, Anna Sofia (Helsingin yliopisto. Teologinen tiedekunta)
• Laiho, Marjukka (University of Eastern Finland. Philosophical Faculty)

Collection Dates

2021-10-01 – 2021-11-30

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Persons who were pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree at a Finnish university at the time of the survey

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

The invitation to participate in the study was shared through through the subject associations of the fields of political science, theology, technology and economics at the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Helsinki, Aalto University and LUT University, as well as through the student unions of these universities. In addition, the invitation to participate in the study was shared with a few individual courses in the previously mentioned fields and universities.

Collection Mode

Self-administered writings and/or diaries: Web-based (Penna textual data collection tool)

Research Instrument

Data collection guidelines: Self-administered writings guide

Data Files

12 texts in TXT format. Additionally, the data were organised into an easy to use HTML version and a CSV version.

Data File Language

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

Qualitative data are available in their original language only and are not translated.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

The data were collected for the purposes of academic or literary expression. Some personal data essential for the reuse of the data, such as indirect identifiers referring to the participant, were left in the archived data on purpose. During archiving at FSD, the name and student number of the writer were removed from one of the texts.

14 texts were received in response to the writing invitation. Two texts were removed from the data delivered to FSD because of conditions that the writers had set for the archiving of their texts.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Salonen, Anna Sofia (University of Helsinki) & Laiho, Marjukka (University of Eastern Finland): University Students' Views on the Future 2021 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2022-03-17). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3603

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Special Terms and Conditions for Access

The data may contain indirect identifiers. When publishing quotations from the data, users need to consider very carefully in each specific case what information needs to be removed or altered according to research ethical guidelines.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Halla-aho, Elli (2024). Uskoa tulevaisuuteen! Yliopisto-opiskelijoiden ajatuksia positiivisista kehityksistä vuonna 2050. Kasvatustieteen kandidaatintutkielma. Turku: Turun yliopisto. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2024060646589