Conferences

Repeated surveys face a number of challenges which can threaten to erode their quality over time. These include shortfalls in funding, the decline in salience of their original content, turnover of central personnel, changes of survey agency, and alterations in the survey environment such as the availability and quality of sampling frames. This paper describes a strategic initiative mounted on the European Social Survey to maintain and enhance quality over a five year period through the construction of a Quality Network. Three types of activity are outlined: thrice-yearly gatherings of National Co-ordinators to discuss data collection and methodological refinements; a symposium of field directors from countries participating in ESS; and a series of three Quality Enhancement seminars where experts in particular fields evaluate current practice and recommend changes in practice to maintain high standards in all aspects of the survey. The paper evaluates the effectiveness of the overall initiative to date and discusses how such a network could be better integrated into the European Social Survey in future rounds.