Eurobarometer Modular Cumulation (EBMC): Generating and Maintaining Eurobarometer Trend Files

• Applicant: Dr. Boris Heizmann
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research ; Political Science
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 542881949

Examining the temporal dynamics of public opinion is a foundational task in comparative research across sociology, political science, and adjacent disciplines, and this field of inquiry has flourished in the recent decades. However, this requires data that tracks such dynamics over time and in many countries. To address this need, the proposed project will generate cumulated and harmonized data from the Eurobarometer survey series. It will follow a modular approach by creating a base module and - as pilots for later extensions - two topical modules "European Integration" and "Climate Change". A shortcoming of most previous cumulation efforts is their limited lifespan and sustainability. The project-based nature of such enterprises usually means that, after a project ends, there will be no updates to the harmonized data, so that the timeliness and scientific value of these cumulations diminishes steadily. Given GESIS' long-standing and continuing commitment to facilitating researcher access to the Eurobarometer via the Eurobarometer Data Service, this shortcoming will be addressed directly. The project has two primary objectives. The first is to produce the aforementioned module files, thus meeting a primary demand by researchers for a cumulation of this high-frequency data collection. The second objective is the design and implementation of a streamlined update process that will continue after the project has ended formally. This includes both a) updates of existing modules (i.e. when new relevant data are released) and b) the addition of new externally-generated modules covering new topics. A) will be achieved via an update protocol which is based on the preceding cumulation effort. This protocol will consist of rules defining how to add the data and deal with potential deviations, and other update processes to be conducted perpetually once a year. This ensures a reasonable level of timeliness of the data. B) refers to the fact that the base module lays the groundwork for many potential cumulation projects and, due to the updating processes outlined, does so also in the future. By harmonizing and cumulating the weights, standard demographics, long-term trends such as life satisfaction, and protocol variables such as interview dates, a lot of groundwork for cumulations contributed by researchers outside of GESIS is being done continuously. All of these components follow an open science approach, making available all scripts etc. in order to ensure full transparency and modifiability. Besides these tasks, the project also seeks to demonstrate the usefulness of the cumulations by pursuing research in the fields of the two topical modules. This is done in cooperation with several eminent researchers from these fields. Finally, the project will establish outreach into the research community via various conference presentations and a workshop bringing together thematic and methodological expertise relevant for the cumulations done in the project.

• DFG Programme: Research data and software (Scientific Library Services and Information Systems)