Challenges to Survey Data Harmonization: Quality of Survey Documentation in Cross-National Surveys

• In Event: 366 - Open Refereed Roundtable Session II
  In Refereed Roundtable: B. Table 24. Public Opinion

Abstract

Many social phenomena bare the imprint of regional and global social, economic, and political processes, and therefore should be studied in a comparative framework. However, inequalities in survey coverage across various regions and the lack of uniform data collection and documentation standards in cross-national survey projects pose a serious limitation to comparative research. While previous efforts to advance cross-national research usually produce a new dataset, we argue that the answer to these problems is actually better integration of existing data. This paper focuses on the assessment of the quality of data documentation, an important, although often neglected, element of any data analysis that is especially crucial for data harmonization projects. We assessed the quality of surveys based on information provided in survey documentation: questionnaire pre-testing, translation method, sampling, presence of fieldwork control, as well as unit and item non-response. Finally, we discuss incorporating documentation measures into substantive analyses, as well as the potential for standardization of survey documentation and the survey process itself.

Authors

• Marta Joanna Kolczynska, The Ohio State University

• Matthew Schoene, The Ohio State University