Browse 114 concepts used in the study of religion, review how survey researchers measured them in the past, and quickly compare the results of more than 7,600 survey questions.
The archive is a collection of surveys, polls, and other data submitted by the foremost scholars and research centers in the world. Review and analyze data online, or download free of charge.
Examine the religious composition, religious freedoms, demographics, constitutional clauses, survey findings and multiple social and political measures for 250 nations.
View maps of the United States and individual states for hundreds of variables, including congregational membership, census data, crime statistics and many others.
Generate congregational membership reports for any county, state and urban area in the United States using data collected by the Religious Congregations & Membership Study.
The profiles chart schisms and mergers, document membership trends, offer basic descriptions, and link to additional resources for more than 400 past and present American religious groups.
Browse dozens of topics from a major national survey of religious congregations. See how the responses vary by the size, religious family and region of the congregation.
Browse dozens of topics covered by major national surveys. See how the responses vary by demographic categories and, when available, how they change over time.
View maps of the United States and individual states for hundreds of variables, including congregational membership, census data, crime statistics and many others.
"The World Values Survey is a worldwide investigation of sociocultural and political change. It is conducted by a network of social scientists at leading universities all around the world.
Interviews have been carried out with nationally representative samples of the populations of more than 80 societies on all six inhabited continents. A total of five waves have been carried out since 1981, making it possible to carry out reliable global cross-cultural analyses and analysis of changes over time. The present file consists of the fifth wave of this ongoing study.
This project is being carried out by an international network of social scientists, with local funding for each survey (though in some cases, it has been possible to raise supplementary funds from outside sources). In exchange for providing the data from interviews with a representative national sample of at least 1,000 people in their own society, each participating group gets immediate access to the data from all of the other participating societies. Thus, they are able to compare the basic values and beliefs of the people of their own society with those of more than 60 other societies. In addition, they are invited to international meetings at which they can compare findings and interpretations with other members of the World Values Survey (WVS) network."
Data File
Cases: 60,579
Variables: 316
Weight Variable:
Data Collection
Date Collected: 2005
Funded By
"The World Values Survey Association is a non-profit organization funded by various scientific foundations. ...
Each national team is responsible for their own expenses and most surveys are financed by local scientific foundations. However, central funding has been obtained in cases where local funding is not possible.
The WVS Executive Committee provides leadership and strategic planning for the WVSA. It is responsible for the recruitment of new members, the organization of meetings and workshops, the promotion of publications and dissemination of results. The WVS Executive Committee also raises funds for central functions and assists member groups in their fund-raising.
Presently, the activities of the WVS Secretariat and WVS Executive Committee are funded by the Bank of Sweden Tercentennary Foundation."
Collection Procedures
"The mode of data collection for WVS surveys is face-to-face interviewing. Other modes (e.g., telephone, mail, internet) are not acceptable except under very exceptional circumstances and only on an experimental basis. In any case, EC approval in writing is necessary for modes of data collection other than face-to-face interviewing."
Sampling Procedures
"WVS requires a complete explanation of proposed sampling procedures BEFORE the start of the fieldwork. The sampling plan must be approved by the EC in writing.
A. METHOD OF SAMPLING The preferred method of sampling for WVS surveys is the full probability sample. However, recognizing that the very high cost―in terms of finances, manpower and time―of full probability samples may prove to be prohibitive in some cases, WVS allows quota sampling provided that the following principles are strictly adhered to: 1. Selection of PSUs must be probabilistic (and preferably PPS). 2. Selection of first-stage clusters within PSUs must be probabilistic (and preferably PPS). 3. Quota sampling should be used only within reasonably small sized clusters that have been selected probabilistically.
Whether the sampling method is full probability or a combination of probability and quota, the minimum number of PSUs is 30. A design with less than 30 PSUs is not permissible.
B. SAMPLE SIZE The minimum sample size (i.e. the number of completed interviews) is 1,000. However, given the fact that in most designs the "effective sample size" (sample size net of design effects) is lower than the actual sample size, larger sample sizes are strongly recommended if at all possible.
C. NON-RESPONSE Non-response is an issue of increasing concern in sample surveys. Investigators are expected to make every reasonable effort to minimize non-response. More specifically: 1. In countries using a full probability design, no replacements are allowed. PIs should plan on as many call-backs as the funding will allow. 2. In countries using some form of quota sampling, every effort should be made to interview the first contact. In any case, and as indicated below, a full report on non-responses is required.
D. COVERAGE WVS surveys are required to cover all residents (not only citizens) between the ages of 18 and 85, inclusive. PI's can lower the minimum age limit as long as the minimum required sample size for the 18+ population is achieved."
