Data Collection

Various methods of data collection are used, the aim being to build up a comprehensive body of information prior to the actual process of analysis. These methods are: collection of new data through questionnaires and interviews; reanalysis of existing data; and comparative studies of other published materials.

The most important source of new knowledge is (without doubt) the Research Unit’s large-scale questionnaire surveys. The Research Unit’s experts prepare questionnaires for mass surveys with as many as 6,000 interviewees.

The practical task of implementing the survey is then contracted out to organisations such as Danmarks Statistik (Statistics Denmark and SFI-Survey), who obtain and collate the responses.

The answers given by the respondents may, while paying the strictest respect to the preservation of anonymity, be linked to official public records about the same people.

Actual analysis of the data is typically conducted by the Research Unit.