The PERCEIVE original survey is intended to help researchers better understand the micro and macro-level dynamics that drive support (or lack thereof) of EU regional policies. The survey includes over 35 substantive questions as well as seven demographic and background questions of the respondent. Each respondent is geo-coded at the NUTS 1, NUTS 2, and NUTS 3 levels. The survey questionnaire was originally written by scholars at the University of Gothenburg, Nicholas Charron and Monika Bauhr, with help and feedback from various PERCEIVE partners. The fieldwork was conducted during the summer of 2017 by an international survey firm based in Rheims, France (Efficience3, ‘E3’). The results were returned to the University of Gothenburg in September 2017.
| Dataset type: | Other |
| Dataset level: | Region |
(Charron et al.,
2020)
Abbreviation code of NUTS1-level region to which the observation belongs. The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, (NUTS), is a geocode standard for referencing the administrative divisions of countries for statistical purposes. NUTS 1: major socio-economic regions.
More about this variableAbbreviation code of NUTS2-level region to which the observation belongs. The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, (NUTS), is a geocode standard for referencing the administrative divisions of countries for statistical purposes. NUTS 2: basic regions for the application of regional policies.
More about this variableAbbreviation code of NUTS3-level region to which the observation belongs. The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, (NUTS), is a geocode standard for referencing the administrative divisions of countries for statistical purposes. NUTS 3: small regions for specific diagnoses.
More about this variableWhat did you vote in the BREXIT referendum? 1. Remain 2. Leave 3. Didn’t vote 4. Refused Note: This question was a part of the UK Survey only - in lieu of q8.
More about this variableIf the BREXIT referendum were held today, how would you vote? 1. Remain 2. Leave 3. Didn’t vote 4. Refused
More about this variableGender of the respondent. 0. Male 1. Female
More about this variablePlease tell me what is the highest level in school you have completed? 1. Elementary (primary) school or less (no diploma) 2. High (secondary) school (but did not graduated from it) 3. Graduation from high (secondary) school 4. Graduation from college, university or other third-level institute 5. Post-graduate degree (Masters, PhD) beyond your initial college degree 99. (Don’t know/Refused)
More about this variableWhat is the highest level in school you have completed? 1. Elementary, secondary school, or less 2. Graduation from high (secondary) school 3. Graduation from college, university or other third-level institute 4. Post-graduate degree (Masters, PhD) beyond your initial college degree
More about this variableRecoded categories for the age of respondents. 1. 18-29 2. 30-49 3. 50-64 4. 65+
More about this variableAbout how many years have you lived in the area where the interview was conducted? 999 if refused to answer.
More about this variableAre you currently in an employment situation? 1. Yes 2. No
More about this variableIf the respondent is not employed, what is your current status? 1. Currently unemployed 2. Housewife / Houseman 3. Pensioner, retired 4. Pupil / Student / Trainee 5. Other
More about this variableDo you work in the public or private sector? 1. Public sector 2. Private sector
More about this variableCombined categories from employment questions. 1. Public sector 2. Private sector 3. Self-employed 4. Unemployed 5. Housewife/Houseman 6. Pensioner, retired 7. Student / Trainee 8. Other
More about this variableDo you work full time or part time? 1) Full time 2) Part time
More about this variableAre you “self-employed/small business owner/freelancer” or “a private sector employee”? 1. Self-employed/small business owner/freelancer 2. Other private sector employee
More about this variableAbout how many people live in the place the interview was conducted? 1. Less than 10,000 (rural) 2. 10,000-100,000 (small town or city) 3. 100,000-1,000,000 (large city or urban area) 4. Greater than 1,000,000 (Very large city or urban area) 99. (Don’t know/Refused)
More about this variableAverage total household net income per month (after taxes, in local currency). Don´t know/refused is coded as 999.
More about this variableCategorical variable for average total household net income per month (after taxes, in local currency). Don´t know/refused is coded as 999.
More about this variableLevel of income, recoded. 1. Low 2. Medium 3. High 99. "Don’t know/Refused"
More about this variableDesign weight, regional proportion of the population within countries. Design weights are included to compensate for the fact that certain people have a higher or lower likelihood of being selected for the survey than others. The Dweight is equal to (Population size aged 18 years and above in RegionX in CountryY) / (Net sample size of RegionX in CountryY). It, therefore, has a mean value of ‘1’ in each country. In all cases but Germany, Sweden, and the UK (which use NUTS1) NUTS 2 weights are applied.
More about this variableUnique and anonymous ID assigned to each respondent.
More about this variableAge and gender weight by region. Population data is taken from Eurostat for all countries. Cross-tabulations from the population data were then collected and put together for each country and region and were compared with that of the cross-tabulations in the sample. The Iweights were calculated based on differences between the sample and population cells, such that demographic groups (older males for example) that were over (under) sampled relative to the population receive a lower (higher) weight.
More about this variableThe language in which the interview was conducted, numeric.
More about this variableThe PSweights are a combination of the design weights and the individual level weight. PSweights are recommended when comparing means, proportions, etc. across regions and/or countries to correct for sampling issues, in particular when comparing regions within countries with a select region which is over-sampled. However, for more sophisticated, multilevel statistical analyses, the researcher can/should include additional demographic controls as independent variables in the model, such as income or age for example.
More about this variablePopulation weight for multi-country aggregation. The population weight is included for comparisons across countries and is included to adjust for a country’s proportion in the sample relative to its actual population of the total population of all countries in the survey. The weights are thus at the country level and do not need to be included for single country, regional level analyses or analyses where comparing country averages of certain survey items are of interest where the country-level is the primary unit of comparison. However, in obtaining sample-wide (or EU-wide) means or proportions, it is recommended to use the population weights. The Pweight helps to correct for any potential bias in obtaining means, proportion, etc when combining data from two or more countries. Without the Pweight, the researcher risks (most often) over-represent smaller countries at the expense of larger ones. The Pweight thus is included to adjust so that every country is represented in relative proportion to its population size of the countries in the sample for each year. The population size weight is calculated as PWEIGHT= (Population size aged 18 years and above)/(Net sample size in the country). Population data of the population is taken from Eurostat for the year 2016.
More about this variableIn general, have you ever heard about the EU Cohesion Policy? 0. No 1. Yes
More about this variableIn general, have you ever heard about the EU Regional Policy? 0. No 1. Yes
More about this variableIn general, have you ever heard about the EU Structural Funds? 0. No 1. Yes
More about this variableIn general, have you ever heard about any EU funded project in your region or area? 0. No 1. Yes
More about this variableHas the respondent ever heard of any of these four EU policies asked in Q1.1-4 (EU Cohesion Policy, EU Regional Policy, EU Structural Funds and any EU-funded project in your region or area)? 0. No 1. Yes
More about this variablePeople have many different opinions about what ‘being European’ means. On a scale from 0-10, where ‘0’ means “not at all important” and ‘10’ means “very important”, how important is the following statement for you in terms of ‘being European’? "The right for all EU citizens to live and work in any other EU country" 0. Not important at all 10. Very important
More about this variablePeople have many different opinions about what ‘being European’ means. On a scale from 0-10, where ‘0’ means “not at all important” and ‘10’ means “very important”, how important is to have the common Euro currency for you in terms of ‘being European’? 0. Not important at all 10. Very important
More about this variablePeople have many different opinions about what ‘being European’ means. On a scale from 0-10, where ‘0’ means “not at all important” and ‘10’ means “very important”, how important is the Christian religion for you in terms of ‘being European’? 0. Not important at all 10. Very important
More about this variablePeople have many different opinions about what ‘being European’ means. On a scale from 0-10, where ‘0’ means “not at all important” and ‘10’ means “very important”, how important is the European flag for you in terms of ‘being European’? 0. Not important at all 10. Very important
More about this variablePeople have many different opinions about what ‘being European’ means. On a scale from 0-10, where ‘0’ means “not at all important” and ‘10’ means “very important”, how important is to share a common European history and culture for you in terms of ‘being European’? 0. Not important at all 10. Very important
More about this variableGenerally speaking, using a scale on which 0 means that “people cannot be trusted” and 10 means that “most people can be trusted”, where would you locate yourself on this scale? 0. People cannot be trusted 10. Most people can be trusted
More about this variable(COUNTRY) should have more restrictions on immigration than it does today. 0. Fully disagree 10. Fully agree
More about this variable(COUNTRY’s) national government should take measures to reduce differences in income levels among people in (COUNTRY). 0. Fully disagree 10. Fully agree
More about this variable(COUNTRY) should have a strong leader that can solve problems quickly, who does not have to worry about elections and parliamentary rules. 0. Fully disagree 10. Fully agree
More about this variableThe following sentence is read to 25% of survey respondents, who are randomly selected for the control group. "The EU should continue to let more countries become members, under the condition that they meet all of EU’s membership requirements” 0. Fully disagree 10. Fully agree
More about this variableThe following sentence is read to 25% of survey respondents, who are randomly selected for the first treatment group. “The EU should continue to let more countries become members, SUCH AS NORWAY, under the condition that they meet all of EU’s membership requirements” 0. Fully disagree 10. Fully agree
More about this variableThe following sentence is read to 25% of survey respondents, who are randomly selected for the second treatment group. “The EU should continue to let more countries become members, SUCH AS TURKEY, under the condition that they meet all of EU’s membership requirements.” 0. Fully disagree 10. Fully agree
More about this variableThe following sentence is read to 25% of survey respondents, who are randomly selected for the third treatment group. “The EU should continue to let more countries become members, SUCH AS SERBIA, under the condition that they meet all of EU’s membership requirements” 0. Fully disagree 10. Fully agree
More about this variableCombined responses from the randomized questions on EU Enlargement (per_q15.1, per_q15.2, per_q15.3, per_q15.4). 0. Fully disagree 10. Fully agree
More about this variableWhich version of question 15 is asked to the respondent? 0. Control group with the generic statement 1. Treatment group mentioning Norway 2. Treatment group mentioning Turkey 3. Treatment group mentioning Serbia
More about this variableOn a 0-10 scale, with ‘0’ being that ‘there is no corruption’ and ‘10’ being that corruption is widespread, how would you rate the European Union? 0. There is no corruption 10. Corruption is widespread
More about this variableOn a 0-10 scale, with ‘0’ being that ‘there is no corruption’ and ‘10’ being that corruption is widespread, how would you rate (COUNTRY’S) national governing institutions? 0. There is no corruption 10. Corruption is widespread
More about this variableOn a 0-10 scale, with ‘0’ being that ‘there is no corruption’ and ‘10’ being that corruption is widespread, how would you rate your regional/local governing institutions? 0. There is no corruption 10. Corruption is widespread
More about this variableHow satisfied are you with the current economic situation in your region today? 1. Very satisfied 2. Somewhat satisfied 3. Somewhat unsatisfied 4. Very unsatisfied
More about this variableCompared with (5 years ago), do you think the economy in your region is: 1. Better 2. About the same 3. Worse
More about this variableIn terms of the per person economic wealth, as in GDP per head, if we were to rank all EU regions from wealthiest to poorest and put them into four equal groups, with group 1 being the wealthiest group and 4 the poorest group, which of the 4 groups do you believe your region is in today? 1. Group 1 (In the wealthiest 25% of EU regions) 2. Group 2 3. Group 3 4. Group 4 (The poorest 25% of EU regions)
More about this variableIn terms of the per person economic wealth, as in GDP per head, if we were to rank all EU regions from wealthiest to poorest and put them into four equal groups, with group 1 being the wealthiest group and 4 the poorest group, which of the 4 groups do you believe your region is in today? 1. Group 1 (In the wealthiest 25% of EU regions) 2. Group 2 3. Group 3 4. Group 4 (The poorest 25% of EU regions) The treatment group receives the question and then receives the following information: "In fact, according to the latest EU data, your region is in the ______ group."
More about this variableIn terms of the per person economic wealth, as in GDP per head, if we were to rank all EU regions from wealthiest to poorest and put them into four equal groups, with group 1 being the wealthiest group and 4 the poorest group, which of the 4 groups do you believe your region is in today? 1. Group 1 (In the wealthiest 25% of EU regions) 2. Group 2 3. Group 3 4. Group 4 (The poorest 25% of EU regions) Note: This variable reflects the combined responses for q19.1 and q19.2.
More about this variableRanking all EU regions from wealthiest to poorest and put them into four equal groups, with group 1 being the wealthiest group and 4 the poorest group, which of the 4 groups does the region actually belong to? 1. Group 1 (In the wealthiest 25% of EU regions) 2. Group 2 3. Group 3 4. Group 4 (The poorest 25% of EU regions)
More about this variableWas the respondent in the control or treatment group? 0. Control group 1. Treatment group (received info)
More about this variableWhere did you hear about the project in your region? (Follow-up question if the answer was "yes" in Q1) 1. TV 2. Billboard 3. Print or online newspaper 4. Social media 5. Workplace 6. Radio 98. Other
More about this variableAs you might have heard, the EU cohesion policy aims to reduce regional differences within the EU in things like economic development, and employment. While all members contribute and receive some funds, the wealthier EU countries generally contribute more and poorer EU regions receive more funding on average. In your opinion, should the EU continue this policy, where wealthier countries contribute more, and poorer EU regions receive more funding? 1. Strongly agree 2. Agree 3. Disagree 4. Strongly disagree 99. Don´t know
More about this variableAs you might have heard, the EU cohesion policy aims to reduce regional differences within the EU in things like economic development, and employment. While all members contribute and receive some funds, the wealthier EU countries generally contribute more and poorer EU regions receive more funding on average. In your opinion, compared with what it spends today, should (COUNTRY) contribute, more, about the same, or less to this EU policy? 1. More 2. About the same 3. Less
More about this variableCould you just tell me on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means “Not agree at all” and 10 means “totally agree”, as to why you would want (COUNTRY’s) contribution to be less? "The money (COUNTRY) pays would be better spent in (COUNTRY)." 0. Not agree at all 10. Totally agree Note: Question 22A.1 is only asked the respondents who said the country should contribute less to EU Cohesion Policy.
More about this variableCould you just tell me on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means “Not agree at all” and 10 means “totally agree”, as to why you would want (COUNTRY’s) contribution to be less? "The money will be largely wasted due to corruption." 0. Not agree at all 10. Totally agree Note: Question 22A.2 is only asked the respondents who said the country should contribute less to EU Cohesion Policy.
More about this variableCould you just tell me on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means “Not agree at all” and 10 means “totally agree”, as to why you would want (COUNTRY’s) contribution to be less? "The money only ends up helping wealthy EU regions in the end." 0. Not agree at all 10. Totally agree Note: Question 22A.3 is only asked the respondents who said the country should contribute less to EU Cohesion Policy.
More about this variableCould you just tell me on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means “Not agree at all” and 10 means “totally agree”, as to why you would want (COUNTRY’s) contribution to be less? "(COUNTRY) pays too much while other EU countries do not pay their fair share." 0. Not agree at all 10. Totally agree Note: Question 22A.4 is only asked the respondents who said the country should contribute less to EU Cohesion Policy.
More about this variableCould you just tell me on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means “Not agree at all” and 10 means “totally agree”, as to why you would want (COUNTRY’s) contribution to be less? "(COUNTRY) should instead be helping the worlds’ poorest people, outside of the EU." 0. Not agree at all 10. Totally agree Note: Question 22A.5 is only asked the respondents who said the country should contribute less to EU Cohesion Policy.
More about this variableCould you just tell me on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means “Not agree at all” and 10 means “totally agree”, as to why you would want (COUNTRY’s) contribution to be (more/about the same)? "It is in (COUNTRY’s) interest to invest in poorer regions." 0. Not agree at all 10. Totally agree Note: Question 22B.1 is only asked the respondents who said the country should contribute about the same or more to EU Cohesion Policy.
More about this variableCould you just tell me on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means “Not agree at all” and 10 means “totally agree”, as to why you would want (COUNTRY’s) contribution to be (more/about the same)? "It benefits everyone in the EU to invest in poorer regions." 0. Not agree at all 10. Totally agree Note: Question 22B.2 is only asked the respondents who said the country should contribute about the same or more to EU Cohesion Policy.
More about this variableCould you just tell me on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means “Not agree at all” and 10 means “totally agree”, as to why you would want (COUNTRY’s) contribution to be (more/about the same)? “(COUNTRY) has a humanitarian obligation to end poverty throughout the EU." 0. Not agree at all 10. Totally agree Note: Question 22B.3 is only asked the respondents who said the country should contribute about the same or more to EU Cohesion Policy.
More about this variableTo your knowledge, have you ever benefited in your daily life from any project funded by the EU? 1. Yes 2. No 99. (Don’t know/Refused)
More about this variableIn the past 5 years or so, which of the following do you think has been the biggest problem facing your region? (asked in randomized order) 1. Poor education 2. Poor infrastructure & transportation 3. Corruption and poor governance 4. Unemployment 5. Environmental concerns 6. Poor wages / poverty 98. (other)
More about this variableHow effective do you think the European Union will be at dealing with the biggest problem in your region? 1. Very effective 2. Somewhat effective 3. Not so effective
More about this variableHow effective do you think (COUNTRY’s) national governing institutions will be at dealing with the biggest problem in your region? 1. Very effective 2. Somewhat effective 3. Not so effective
More about this variableHow effective do you think your regional/local governing institutions will be at dealing with the biggest problem in your region? 1. Very effective 2. Somewhat effective 3. Not so effective
More about this variableTurning a bit to politics, what political party would you vote for if the national parliamentary election were tomorrow? Selection is made from the provided current party list by country.
More about this variableNow thinking about EU elections, have you voted in either of the last two EU parliamentary elections? (referring to 2009 and 2014 elections) 0. Neither 1. Once 2- Both times 99. Don´t know/Refused
More about this variableIn general, do you think that (YOUR COUNTRY’S) EU membership is a good thing, a bad thing, neither good nor bad, not sure? 1. A good thing 2. A bad thing 3. Neither good nor bad 4. Not sure Note: This question is not included in the UK survey.
More about this variableOn a 0-10 scale, with ‘0’ being ‘I don’t identify at all, and ‘10’ being ‘I identify very strongly’, how strongly do you identify yourself with your region? 0. I don’t identify at all 10. I identify very strongly
More about this variableOn a 0-10 scale, with ‘0’ being ‘I don’t identify at all, and ‘10’ being ‘I identify very strongly’, how strongly do you identify yourself with your country? 0. I don’t identify at all 10. I identify very strongly
More about this variableOn a 0-10 scale, with ‘0’ being ‘I don’t identify at all, and ‘10’ being ‘I identify very strongly’, how strongly do you identify yourself with Europe? 0. I don’t identify at all 10. I identify very strongly
More about this variableRegional geocode for merging with PERCEIVE regional dataset.
More about this variablewhether the response is a part of the general population sample or control sample. 0. General population sample 1. Control sample (respondent from select region)
More about this variableIs the respondent from the selected case-study region? 0. No 1. Yes
More about this variablewhether mobile or landline was used in the interview. 1. Landline 2. Mobile
More about this variable