Journal ArticlesDie Zukunft sozialwissenschaftlicher Surveys und Panelinfrastrukturen
Bujard, Martin; Wagner, Gert G. (2023)
WISTA 6/2023: 56–68
Social science surveys remain important in the age of big data, as they are representative and use scientifically validated instruments to cover relevant topics. They complement official statistical data because they also measure attitudes and personality traits and employ long-term longitudinal survey designs. This article provides an overview of the existing social science survey and panel infrastructures in Germany and Europe. Expected innovations are also outlined. The increase in web-based survey modes is driving a surge in innovation, which is making in-year surveys and experimental survey components more feasible. Life and behavioural science concepts and microdata from other data sets will be more closely linked to social science surveys.