Measuring Attitudes Cross-Nationally

Lessons from the European Social Survey

With the expansion of the European Union and the development of supra-national governance worldwide, the importance of rigorous comparative analysis of cross-national, cross-cultural research has grown rapidly.

This volume is the first to be written by members of the international academic team involved in the groundbreaking European Social Survey (ESS) which has been designed to chart and explain the interaction between Europe's changing institutions and the attitudes, beliefs and behavior patterns of its diverse populations.

Part One looks at the background to the project and overall design considerations. Part Two offers a more detailed analysis of the contending methods, procedures used, and obstacles faced, in implementation. Part Three includes substantive chapters on some of the findings and outcomes of the ESS, including the emergence of up till now unknown national differences in values regarding immigration and perceptions of citizenship. The ESS data is then considered in comparison with that from U.S. General Social Survey and the book concludes by looking ahead to future comparative surveys and the lessons that can be learned from the ESS.

Measuring Attitudes Cross-nationally: Lessons from the European Social Survey maps the theory and practice of a uniquely innovative and rigorous multinational attitudinal social survey. It is essential reading for researchers across the social sciences that have an interest in the design, planning or interpretation of cross-national social surveys.