Data Source

Survey

Type of Study

Longitude survey: long-term study of random or different samples

Longitudinal study, continuous, different (person) samples

Data gathering method

Face-to-face interview (CAPI, PAPI)

Ease

Cannot be downloaded directly.

Conditions of access

Formal agreements (e.g. fees, research contracts, institutional agreements, etc.)

Access to data requires: (1) Access fee (2) Official authorisation (CCS) Data also available through DANS.

Time elapsed between application and reception of data

Months

Type of available data (e.g. anonymised microdata, aggregated tables, etc.)

Anonymised microdata

Formats available

SPSS (default)

Language issues

Related publications in English: Winkels, J.W. and P.C.J. Everaers. 1998. ‘Design of an Integrated Survey in the Netherlands: The Case of POLS’. Netherlands Official Statistics, Vol. 13 (Summer 1998).

Years of collection, reference years, and sample sizes

Data was collected between 1997 and 2004 with a sample size of 5,000 individuals per year.

First year of collection

1997

Stratification if applicable

Two-step sampling: 1) sample of municipalities 2) sample of people; monthly sampling; specific weighting models for different modules

Base used for sampling

Municipal person registration

Geographical coverage and breakdowns

Dutch population in non-institutional households

Age range

Population aged 13 and over

Statistical representativeness

Representative of the Dutch population in non-institutional households aged 13 and over

Coverage of main and cross-cutting topics

Brief overview of: Satisfaction with different aspects of life; family life, finances, education, society, general happiness.

Possibility of linkage among databases

Linkable to other person databases through anonymised personal number.

Entry errors if applicable

Survey errors. Data are checked and corrected for internal inconsistencies.

Breaks

No disruptions for the period 1997 - 2004.

Consistency of terminology or coding used during collection

Consistent method

Strengths: The survey provides high quality and coherent data. Weaknesses: The survey uses a relatively low sample size.