Study title

Distance Learning during COVID‑19 School Closures: Parent Survey 2020

Dataset ID Number

FSD4083

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4083
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4083

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Aerila, Juli-Anna (University of Turku)
• Jankama, Hilppa (University of Turku)
• Keinänen, Heli (University of Turku)
• Kemppinen, Lauri (University of Turku)
• Koivisto, Kimmo (University of Turku)
• Koski, Pasi (University of Turku)
• Kärki, Tomi (University of Turku)
• Nieminen, Noora (University of Turku)
• Orell, Miina (University of Turku)
• Vänttinen, Juha (University of Turku)
• Yrjänäinen, Sari (University of Turku)

Abstract

The dataset contains responses to a survey conducted among parents of comprehensive school and upper secondary school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey covered themes such as schooling, teaching, and learning. The questionnaire could be completed in either Finnish or English. The data were collected as part of the broader Distance Learning (DisLe) research project.

First, parents were asked to indicate the school level and grade of the child from whose perspective they were completing the questionnaire. The parents then evaluated statements related to schooling under the exceptional circumstances, including satisfaction with distance learning, the organisation of distance learning, their child's experiences of distance learning, and communication between teachers and the home. Next, parents assessed the suitability of distance learning for different school subjects and compared various aspects of distance learning with teaching under normal circumstances. They were then asked what kinds of devices and learning platforms their children used for studying and submitting assignments and how much parental support was needed in information technology-related matters. Finally, the survey examined whether the child had received support during distance learning, for example from a school counsellor or psychologist, whether parents had received information about where to seek help for school-related challenges, and whether parents had discussed school with their children more than usual at home.

Background variables include the respondent's role in relation to the student, the respondent's child's school level and grade, school size, the child's primary mode of study, the language spoken at home, the number of underage children in the household, the respondent's educational background, the respondent's year of birth, and whether the respondent had completed comprehensive school in Finland.

Keywords

COVID-19; children; distance education; educational attendance; educational facilities; learning; parents; primary education; primary schools; psychological well-being; quality of life; students; teaching; upper secondary education

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Compulsory and pre-school education (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Higher and further education (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Social conditions and indicators (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

• Aerila, Juli-Anna (University of Turku)
• Jankama, Hilppa (University of Turku)
• Keinänen, Heli (University of Turku)
• Kemppinen, Lauri (University of Turku)
• Koivisto, Kimmo (University of Turku)
• Koski, Pasi (University of Turku)
• Kärki, Tomi (University of Turku)
• Nieminen, Noora (University of Turku)
• Orell, Miina (University of Turku)
• Vänttinen, Juha (University of Turku)
• Yrjänäinen, Sari (University of Turku)

Time Period Covered

2020

Collection Dates

2020-05-15 – 2020-08-31

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Parents and guardians of comprehensive school and upper secondary school students

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

Data were collected in collaboration with school principals and local education authorities in a targeted manner from the Teacher Training School of the University of Turku and schools in two cities in Western Finland. School principals were responsible for distributing the survey via the schools' communication channels. Additionally, in one of these cities, an announcement and a survey link were published on the city's website. Data were also collected through a public survey link shared in newspapers, on city and newspaper websites, and on social media. Responses were received from across Finland.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

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

FSD4080 Distance Learning during COVID‑19 School Closures: Survey of Years 1-3 Pupils 2020

FSD4081 Distance Learning during COVID-19 School Closures: Survey of Pupils in Years 4-9 and Upper Secondary School Students 2020

FSD4082 Distance Learning during COVID‑19 School Closures: Teacher Survey 2020

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

The Finnish Social Science Data Archive does not have an English-language questionnaire for the dataset.

For reasons of confidentiality, the data were anonymised at the Finnish Social Science Data Archive by removing variables VAR00004 and VAR00005. These variables contained information on the name of the respondent's child's school and/or municipality.

The dataset does not include responses to open-ended question 30 of the questionnaire.

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

Aerila, Juli-Anna (University of Turku) & Jankama, Hilppa (University of Turku) & Keinänen, Heli (University of Turku) & Kemppinen, Lauri (University of Turku) & Koivisto, Kimmo (University of Turku) & Koski, Pasi (University of Turku) & Kärki, Tomi (University of Turku) & Nieminen, Noora (University of Turku) & Orell, Miina (University of Turku) & Vänttinen, Juha (University of Turku) & Yrjänäinen, Sari (University of Turku): Distance Learning during COVID‑19 School Closures: Parent Survey 2020 [dataset]. Data version 1.0 (2026-06-24). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4083; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4083

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.

Related Publications

Kärki, T., Keinänen, H., Aerila, J-A. Orell, M., Kemppinen, L. & Koski, P. (2023) Opettajien, oppilaiden ja huoltajien näkemyksiä peruskoulun ja lukion etäopetuksesta kevään 2020 poikkeusolojen aikana. Kasvatus 54 (4), 326-340.