Study title

Tackling Biases and Bubbles in Participation: Citizen Survey 2018

Dataset ID Number

FSD3648

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3648

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Wass, Hanna (University of Helsinki)
• Kantola, Anu (University of Helsinki)

Other Identification/Acknowledgements

• Elovainio, Marko (University of Helsinki)
• Helminen, Vilja (University of Helsinki)
• Hiilamo, Heikki (University of Helsinki)
• Kauppinen, Timo (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)
• Lahtinen, Hannu (University of Helsinki)
• Peltoniemi, Johanna (University of Helsinki)
• Saikkonen, Paula (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)
• Sund, Reijo (University of Eastern Finland)
• Valaste, Maria (University of Helsinki)
• Vento, Isak (University of Helsinki)
• Vesa, Juho (University of Helsinki)

Abstract

The survey charted the social and political opinions of different groups of people. The respondents were presented with statements regarding social participation and influence, trust in political decision-makers, political interest, and political opinions. The data were collected as part of the 'Tackling Biases and Bubbles in Participation' (BIBU) research project, which examines how economic restructuring changes citizens' and decision-makers' political capacities, interests and emotions. The research project is a collaboration between six universities and research institutes, led by Professor Anu Kantola from the University of Helsinki.

First, social participation was examined with questions on, for example, participation in political discussion, activity in civic organisations, boycotting, and donating money to charity. The respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with various statements regarding politicians and decision-makers. Trust in several actors, such as political parties, the Government, universities, and traditional media was charted. Questions also focused on, for example, whether the respondents had signed petitions, how often they used social media to follow social and political issues, and how they viewed civil disobedience.

The respondents' political opinions and participation were surveyed with questions on where they would place themselves on the left-right political scale, whether they thought they were liberal or conservative, whether they had voted in the 2017 municipal elections, and which party they would vote for if parliamentary elections were held now. Views on different groups of people, such as the poor or the rich, those receiving unemployment benefits, baby boomers, and asylum seekers were examined next. Questions also examined the respondents' views on children and raising children, the social security system, income disparity, and immigration.

Background variables included, among others, the respondent's gender, year of birth, marital status, level of education, occupation, income, and household size.

Keywords

citizenship; participation; political attitudes; political behaviour; social influence; social systems

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Political behaviour and attitudes (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Social welfare policy (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

• Taloustutkimus

Funders

• Academy of Finland. The Strategic Research Council (312710)

Time Period Covered

2018

Collection Dates

2018-07-30 – 2018-12-03

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

People aged over 18 (who have the right to vote) living in Finland (excluding the Åland Islands)

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Mixed probability and non-probability

The sample of 20,000 people aged over 18 was randomly drawn from among the population register. The sample was formed to be representative of various different population groups. As data collection proceeded, respondents were also contacted through phone calls and the Taloustutkimus internet panel to recruit more people in regions and population groups that lacked respondents. 3,098 people responded to the online survey and 997 people were personally interviewed, resulting in a total of 4,095 respondents. More information on the sampling procedure can be found in Finnish in the background file bgF3648.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Face-to-face interview: Computer-assisted (CAPI/CAMI)

Telephone interview: Computer-assisted (CATI)

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

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

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.0

Related Datasets

FSD3649 Tackling Biases and Bubbles in Participation: COVID-19 Survey 2020

FSD3650 Tackling Biases and Bubbles in Participation: Survey for Decision-Makers 2020

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

There is a spelling mistake in the archived questionnaire in value label 11 of variables K31 and K32. The correct value label is "Over 12,500 euros/month".

To prevent identification of respondents, regional information was anonymised at FSD. Additionally, open-ended variables K47_1, K47_2, K47_3 and K48 related to trade unions were removed from the data. Changes made at FSD are marked with [square brackets].

Open-ended variable K51 was removed from the data, because the data contain a similar question as a numerical variable.

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

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

Wass, Hanna (University of Helsinki) & Kantola, Anu (University of Helsinki): Tackling Biases and Bubbles in Participation: Citizen Survey 2018 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2023-06-07). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3648

Deposit Requirement

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

Disclaimer

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

FSD has not been informed of any publications related to the data.