First Phase: Qualitative Survey and opinion polls

In order to address the objectives of the project, a survey will take place in each of the participating countries.

The survey will be developed and conducted at national level by young, with guidelines and permanent support of a Scientific Committee, especially for:

a) selection of the sample

b) initial training on research techniques

c) development of procedures and data instrument

d) analysis of data

The study will include in-depth face to face interviews which will address the following subjects:

a) Cultural diversity, immigration and solidarity

b) Basic values (with a particular attention on those transmitted and created by the media)

c) Democracy and civic participation

d) Volunteering and intergenerational relations

To ensure a wide basis for discussion and information on the different contexts and opinions, the poll will be addressed to a sample group of 250 persons in each country, selected among: young, parents, volunteers, immigrants and representative of social associations. The composition of the sample group will be equally balanced between men and women. The great number of the target groups will be subject to a general opinion poll through a questionnaire prepared by the students and containing open questions on each of the four subjects.

A more selected group (about 20-25 persons) will be subject to a more and in-depth qualitative survey. This methodology will include biographical interviews (using mainly Lipman’s method), educational competencies balance and communities of practice. The answers shall consider both the personal opinions on each of the points and the suggestions for possible future developments of the subjects within a European context. To ensure a wide basis for discussion and information on the different contexts and opinions, the poll will be addressed to a sample group of 250 persons in each country, selected among: young, parents, volunteers, immigrants and representative of social associations. The composition of the sample group will be equally balanced between men and women.

A special attention will be given to the impact of media, especially new technologies (such as sharing and social networking sites and blogs), on the promotion of the mentioned subjects of the survey. The partners of the project consider that:

a) a large part of citizens life run in digital scenarios

b) there is a gap on mapping and disseminating positive experiences and ideas which foster through the media an Active European Citizenship.

The survey tool will be implemented using standardized data-collection protocols.

For interchanging ideas, guidance, data and results; a protected wiki will be designed. It will facilitate the contact between the National Representatives of the Project and its follow-up as well.

Ethical issues

Research involving human participants is always subject to ethical issues and new technologies present additional and different considerations. A detailed brief of the research, its purpose and objectives will be provided to all potential participants in the project, in order to receive their informed consent for participation in the study. Participants will remain anonymous and measures will be taken (e.g. minimize the publication of contextual information) to avoid deductive or inferential identification of individuals. In addition, before the study takes place, ethics clearance is received by a Ethics Committee.

Analysis of data

Data collected will be first analyzed thematically by country and by category of persons in order to map the field and make recommendations that (i) are country and category specific and (ii) have relevance to the wider European Union countries.

Survey report

The analysis of data will lead to draft national reports and recommendations, uploaded in the project website. The reports will be the initial framework for the transnational debates launched inside the workshops.