research - Assignment Essays

Survey research is still one of the most common ways to collect data in the public safety system. In this discussion, you will explore the World Values Survey (WVS). Specifically, you will discuss the range of questions asked on the WVS, explore how and why questions are worded in specific ways, and find questions that have value in public safety.

The specific steps are as follows:

Review the World Values Survey.
Read this overview of best practices in survey design.
Find at least 5 questions from the survey that you believe display best practices, and share those with the class.
Explain why these questions reflect best practices.
Find at least 3 questions from the survey that you believe have value in public safety.
Explain why you believe these questions have value.

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INTRODUCTION

Introduction by interviewer:

Hello. I am from __________ (mention the name of the your organization). We are carrying out

a global study of what people value in life. This study will interview samples representing most

of the world’s people. Your name has been selected at random as part of a representative

sample of the people in __________ (mention the country where the interview is conducted).

I’d like to ask you about your views on a number of different subjects. Your input will be kept

confidential, and it will contribute to a better understanding of what people all over the world

believe and want out of life.

QUESTION 1 OF 90

For each of the following, indicate how important it is in your life. Would you say it

is:

Very

important

Rather

important

Not

very

important

Not at

all

important

Family 1 2 3 4

Friends 1 2 3 4

Leisure time 1 2 3 4

Politics 1 2 3 4

Work 1 2 3 4

Religion 1 2 3 4

QUESTION 2

Taking all things together, would you say you are:

1 Very happy

2 Rather happy

3 Not very happy

4 Not at all happy

World Values Survey

QUESTION 3

Here is a list of qualities that children can be encouraged to learn at home. Which, if any,

you consider to be especially important? Please choose up to five!

Mentioned

Not

mentioned

Independence 1 2

Feeling of responsibility 1 2

Imagination 1 2

Tolerance and respect for other people 1 2

Thrift, saving money & things 1 2

Determination, perseverance 1 2

Religious faith 1 2

Unselfishness 1 2

Obedience 1 2

Self-expression 1 2

QUESTION 4

All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days? Using this

scale, where 1 means you are “completely dissatisfied” and 10 means you are “

completely

satisfied” – where would you put your satisfaction with your life as a whole?

Completely dissatisfied Completely satisfied

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

QUESTION 5

Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted or that you need to be very

careful in dealing with people?

1 Most people can be trusted

2 Need to be very careful

QUESTION 6

Now I am going to read off a list of voluntary organizations. For each organization, could you

tell me whether you are an active member, an inactive member or not a member of that type

of organization?

Active

member

Inactive

member

Don’t

belong

Church or religious organization 2 1 0

Sport or recreational organization 2 1 0

Art, music or educational organization 2 1 0

Labor Union 2 1 0

Political party 2 1 0

Environmental organization 2 1 0

Professional association 2 1 0

Humanitarian or charitable organization 2 1 0

Consumer organization 2 1 0

Self-help group, mutual aid group 2 1 0

Other organization 2 1 0

QUESTION 7

On this list are various groups of people. Could you please mention any that you would not

to have as neighbors?

Mentioned

Not

mentioned

Drug addicts 1 2

People of a different race 1 2

People who have AIDS 1 2

Immigrants/foreign workers 1 2

Homosexuals 1 2

People of a different religion 1 2

Heavy drinkers 1 2

Unmarried couples living together 1 2

People who speak a different language 1 2

QUESTION 8

Do you agree, disagree or neither agree nor disagree with the following statements?

Agree Neither Dis

agree

When jobs are scarce, men should have more right to a job than women. 1 2 3

If a woman earns more money than her husband, it’s almost certain to cause problems. 1 2 3

When jobs are scarce, employers should give priority to people of this country over immigrants. 1 2 3

If a woman earns more money than her husband, it’s almost certain to cause problems 1 2 3

Having a job is the best way for a woman to be an independent person. 1 2 3

QUESTION 9

For each of the following statements I read out, can you tell me how strongly you agree or

disagree with each. Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree?

Strongly

agree
Agree

Disagree

Strongly

disagree

One of my main goals in life has been to make my parents proud. 1 2 3 4

When a mother works for pay, the children suffer. 1 2 3 4

On the whole, men make better political leaders than women do. 1 2 3 4

A university education is more important for a boy than for a girl. 1 2 3 4

On the whole, men make better business executives than women do. 1 2 3 4

Being a housewife is just as fulfilling as working for pay. 1 2 3 4

QUESTION 10

Some people feel they have completely free choice and control over their lives, while other

people feel that what they do has no real effect on what happens to them. Please use this scale

where 1 means “no choice at all” and 10 means “a great deal of choice” to indicate how

much

freedom of choice and control you feel you have over the way your life turns out (code one

number):

No choice at all A great deal of

choice

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 11

Do you think most people would try to take advantage of you if they got a chance, or would

they try to be fair? Please show your response on this survey, where 1 means that “people

would try to take advantage of you,” and 10 means that “people would try to be fair”:

People would try to

take advantage of you
People would try to be fair

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 12

Are you currently:

1 Married

2 Living together as married

3 Divorced

4 Separated

5 Widowed

6 Single

QUESTION 13

Have you had any children?

0 No children

1 One child

2 Two children

3 Three children

4 Four children

5 Five children

6 Six children

7 Seven children

8 Eight children or more

QUESTION 14

How satisfied are you with the financial situation of your household?

Completely dissatisfied Completely satisfied

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 15

People sometimes talk about what the aims of this country should be for the next ten years. On

this section of the survey are listed some of the goals which different people would give top

priority. Would you please say which one of these you, yourself, consider the most important?

And which would be the next most important?

First

choice

Second

choice

A high level of economic growth. 1 1

Making sure this country has strong defense forces. 2 2

Seeing that people have more say about how things are

done at their jobs and in their communities.
3 3

Trying to make our cities and countryside more beautiful. 4 4

QUESTION 16

If you had to choose, which one of the things on this survey would you say is most important?

First

choice

Second

choice

Maintaining order in the nation 1 2

Giving people more say in important government decisions 1 2

Fighting rising prices 1 2

Practicing freedom of speech 1 2

QUESTION 17

Here is another list. In your opinion, which one of these is most important?

And what would be the next most important?

First

choice

Second

choice

A stable economy 1 2

Progress toward a less impersonal and more humane society 1 2

Progress toward a society in which Ideas count more than money 1 2

The fight against crime 1 2

QUESTION 18

Of course, we all hope that there will not be another war, but if it were to come to that, would

you be willing to fight for your country?

1 Yes

2 No

QUESTION 19

I’m going to read out a list of various changes in our way of life that might take place in the near

future. Please tell me for each one, if it were to happen, whether you think it would be a

good

thing, a bad thing, or don’t you mind?

Good

Don’t

mind
Bad

Less importance placed on work in our lives 1 2 3

More emphasis on the development of technology 1 2 3

Greater respect for authority 1 2 3

QUESTION 20

Now I will briefly describe some people. Using this survey, would you please indicate for each

description whether that person is very much like you, like you, somewhat like you, not like

you, or not at all like you?

Very

much

Some-

what

little

Not

Not at

all like

It is important to this person to think up new ideas and

be creative; to do things one’s own way.
1 2 3 4 5 6

t is important to this person to be rich; to have a lot of

money and expensive things.
1 2 3 4 5 6

Living in secure surroundings is important to this person;

to avoid anything that might be dangerous.
1 2 3 4 5 6

It is important to this person to have a good time; to

“spoil” oneself.
1 2 3 4 5 6

It is important to this person to do something for the

good of society
1 2 3 4 5 6

It is important for this people to help the people nearby;

to care for their well-being
1 2 3 4 5 6

Being very successful is important to this person; to have

people recognize one’s achievements.
1 2 3 4 5 6

Adventure and taking risks are important to this person;

to have an exciting life.
1 2 3 4 5 6

It is important to this person to always behave properly;

to avoid doing anything people would say is wrong.
1 2 3 4 5 6

Looking after the environment is important to this

person; to care for nature and save life resources.
1 2 3 4 5 6

Tradition is important to this person; to follow the

customs handed down by one’s religion or family.
1 2 3 4 5 6

QUESTION 21

I’m going to read out some problems. Please indicate which of the following problems you

consider the most serious one for the world as a whole?

People living in poverty and need 1

Discrimination against girls and women 2

Poor sanitation and infectious diseases 3

Inadequate education 4

Environmental pollution 5

QUESTION 22

Here are two statements people sometimes make when discussing the environment and

economic growth. Which of them comes closer to your own point of view?

1 Protecting the environment should be given priority, even if it causes slower economic growth and some loss of jobs.

2 Economic growth and creating jobs should be the top priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent.

3 Other answer

QUESTION 23

During the past two years have you…

Given money to an ecological organization?

1 Yes

2 No

QUESTION 24

Participated in a demonstration for some environmental cause?

1 Yes

2 No

QUESTION 25

How interested would you say you are in politics?

1 Very interested

2 Somewhat interested

3 Not very interested

4 Not interested

at all

QUESTION 26

Now I’d like you to look at this survey. I’m going to read out some forms of political action that

people can take, and I’d like you to tell me, for each one, whether you have done any of these

things, whether you might do it or would never under any circumstances do it

Have

done

Might

Have

never

done

Signing a petition 1 2 3

Joining in boycotts 1 2 3

Attending peaceful demonstrations 1 2 3

Joining strikes 1 2 3

Any other act of protest 1 2 3

INTERVIEWER: ONLY TO THOSE WHO SAID THEY “HAVE DONE” THE GIVEN ACTIVITY

QUESTION 27

Tell me for each of these activities how often you have done it in the last year!

Not at

all
Once Twice

Three

times

than

three

times

Signing a petition 1 2 3 4 5

Joining in boycotts 1 2 3 4 5

Attending peaceful demonstrations 1 2 3 4 5

Joining strikes 1 2 3 4 5

Any other act of protest? 1 2 3 4 5

QUESTION 28

In political matters, people talk of “the left” and “the right.” How would you place your views

on this scale, generally speaking?

Left Right

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 29

Now I’d like you to tell me your views on various issues. How would you place your views on

this scale? 1 means you agree completely with the statement on the left; 10 means you agree

completely with the statement on the right; and if your views fall somewhere in between, you

can choose any number in between.

Incomes should be made more equal
We need larger income differences

as incentives for individual effort

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 30

Private ownership of business

and industry should be increased

Government ownership of business

and industry should be increased

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 31

Government should take more responsibility

to ensure that everyone is provided for

People should take more responsibility

to provide for themselves

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 32

Competition is good. It stimulates people

to work hard and develop new ideas

Competition is harmful. It

brings out the worst in people

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 33

In the long run, hard work

usually brings a better life

Hard work doesn’t generally bring success

– it’s more a matter of luck and connections

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 34

Private can only get rich

at the expense of others

Wealth can grow so there’s

enough for everyone

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 35

I‘d like to ask you how much you trust people from various groups. Could you tell me for each

whether you trust people from this group completely, somewhat, not very much or not at all?

Trust

completely

Trust

somewhat

Do not

trust very

much

Do not

trust at

all

Your family 1 2 3 4

Your neighborhood 1 2 3 4

People you know personally 1 2 3 4

People you meet for the first time 1 2 3 4

People of another religion 1 2 3 4

People of another nationality 1 2 3 4

QUESTION 36

I am going to name a number of organizations. For each one, could you tell me how much

confidence you have in them: is it a great deal of confidence, quite a lot of confidence, not very

much confidence or none at all?

great

deal

Quite

a lot

Not

very

much

None

at all

The churches 1 2 3 4

The armed forces 1 2 3 4

The press 1 2 3 4

Television 1 2 3 4

Labor unions 1 2 3 4

The police 1 2 3 4

The courts 1 2 3 4

The government (in your nation’s capital) 1 2 3 4

Political parties 1 2 3 4

Parliament 1 2 3 4

The civil services 1 2 3 4

Universities 1 2 3 4

Major companies 1 2 3 4

banks 1 2 3 4

Environmental organizations 1 2 3 4

Women’s organizations 1 2 3 4

The United Nations 1 2 3 4

QUESTION 37

I’m going to describe various types of political systems and ask what you think about each as a

way of governing this country. For each one, would you say it is a very good, fairly good, fairly

bad or very bad way of governing this country?

Very

good

Fairly

good

Fairly

bad

Very

bad

Having a strong leader who does not have to bother

with parliament and elections
1 2 3 4

Having experts, not government, make decisions

according to what they think is best for the country
1 2 3 4

Having the army rule 1 2 3 4

Having a democratic political system 1 2 3 4

QUESTION 38

Many things are desirable, but not all of them are essential characteristics of democracy. Please

tell me for each of the following things how essential you think it is as a

characteristic of

democracy. Use this scale where 1 means “not at all an essential characteristic of democracy”

and 10 means it definitely is “an essential characteristic of democracy”

Not an essential

characteristic of

democracy

An essential

characteristic of

democracy

Governments tax the rich and subsidize the poor. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Religious authorities ultimately interpret the laws. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

People choose their leaders in free elections 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

People receive state aid for unemployment 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

The army takes over when government is incompetent 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Civil rights protect people from state oppression. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

The state makes people’s incomes equal. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

People obey their rulers. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Women have the same rights as men. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 39

How important is it for you to live in a country that is governed democratically? On this scale

where 1 means it is “not at all important” and 10 means “absolutely important” what position

would you choose?

Not at all important Absolutely important

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 40

And how democratically is this country being governed today? Again using a scale from 1 to 10,

where 1 means that it is “not at all democratic” and 10 means that it is “completely

democratic,” what position would you choose?

Not at all democratic Completely democratic

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 41

How much respect is there for individual human rights nowadays in this country? Do you feel

there is:

1 A great deal of respect for individual human rights

2 Fairly much respect

3 Not much respect

4 No respect at all

QUESTION 42

Now let’s turn to another topic. How often, if at all, do you think about the meaning and

purpose of life?

1 Often

2 Sometimes

3 Rarely

4 Never

QUESTION 43

Do you belong to a religion or religious denomination? If yes, which one?

No: Do not belong to a denomination 0

Yes: Roman Catholic 1

Protestant 2

Orthodox (Russian/Greek/etc.) 3

Jew 4

Muslim 5

Hindu 6

Buddhist 7

Other (write in) 8

QUESTION 44

Apart from weddings and funerals, about how often do you attend religious services these

days?

1 More than once a week

2 Once a week

3 Once a month

4 Only on special holy days

5 Once a year

6 Less

often

7 Never, practically never

QUESTION 45

Apart from weddings and funerals, about how often do you pray?

1 Several times a day

2 Once a day

3 Several times each week

4 Only when attending religious services

5 Only on special holy days

6 Once a year

7 Less often

8 Never, practically never

QUESTION 46

Independently of whether you attend religious services or not, would you say you are:

1 A religious person

2 Not a religious person

3 An atheist

QUESTION 47

Do you believe in God?

1 Yes

2 No

QUESTION 48

Do you believe in hell?

1 Yes

2 No

QUESTION 49

With which one of the following statements do you agree most? The basic meaning of religion

is:

1 To follow religious norms and ceremonies

2 To do good to other people

QUESTION 50

And with which of the following statements do you agree most?

1 To make sense of life after death

2 To make sense of life in this world

QUESTION 51

How important is God in your life? Please use this scale to indicate. 10 means “very important”

and 1 means “not at all important.”

Not at all important Very important

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 52

Please tell us if you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following

statements:

Strongly

agree
Agree Disagree

Strongly

disagree

Whenever science and religion conflict, religion is always right. 1 2 3 4 -1

The only acceptable religion is my religion 1 2 3 4 -1

All religions should be taught in our public schools. 1 2 3 4 -1

People who belong to different religions are probably just as

moral as those who belong to mine
1 2 3 4 -1

QUESTION 53

Now I’m going to ask you some questions about the position in society of people in different

age groups. (Show Survey AB) I’m interested in how you think most people in this country view

the position in society of people in their 20s, people in their 40s and people over 70.

Using this survey, please tell me where most people would place the social position of:

Extremely low

position in society

Extremely high

position in society

…people in their 20’s? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

…people in their 40’s? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

…people over 70? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 54

Please tell me how acceptable or unacceptable you think most people in [country] would find it

if a suitably qualified 30 year old was appointed as their boss?

Use this survey where 1 means they would find it completely unacceptable and 10 means

completely acceptable.

Completely unacceptable Completely acceptable

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 55

Now think about those aged over 70*. Using the same survey please tell me how likely it is that

most people in [country] view those over 70…

Not at all likely to be

viewed that way

Very likely to be

viewed that way

…as friendly? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

…as competent? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

…with respect? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 56

Please tell me how acceptable or unacceptable you think most people in [country] would find it

if a suitably qualified 70* year old was appointed as their boss?

Use this survey where 1 means they would find it completely unacceptable and 10 means

completely acceptable.

Completely unacceptable Completely acceptable

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

QUESTION 57

Now could you tell me whether you agree, agree strongly, disagree or disagree strongly with

each of the following statements?

Strongly

agree
Agree Disagree

Strongly

disagree

Older people are not respected much these days 1 2 3 4

Older people get more than their fair share from the government 1 2 3 4

Older people are a burden on society 1 2 3 4

Companies that employ young people perform better than those

that employ people of different ages.
1 2 3 4

Old people have too much political influence. 1 2 3 4

QUESTION 58

I see myself as someone who…

Strongly

agree

Disagree

a little

Neither

agree

nor

disagree

Agree a

little

Agree

strongly

Don’t

know

…is reserved 1 2 3 4 5 9

…is generally trusting 1 2 3 4 5 9

…tends to be lazy 1 2 3 4 5 9

…is relaxed, handles stress well 1 2 3 4 5 9

…has few artistic interests 1 2 3 4 5 9

…is outgoing, sociable 1 2 3 4 5 9

…tends to find fault with others 1 2 3 4 5 9

…does a through job 1 2 3 4 5 9

…gets nervous easily 1 2 3 4 5 9

…has an active imagination 1 2 3 4 5 9

QUESTION 59

Could you tell me how secure do you feel these days in your neighborhood?

Very secure 1

Quite secure 2

Not very secure 3

Not at all secure 4

DK/NA -1

QUESTION 60

How frequently do the following things occur in your neighborhood?

Very

frequently

Quite

frequently

Not

frequently

Not at all

frequently

DK/NA

Robberies 1 2 3 4 -1

Alcohol consumption in the streets 1 2 3 4 -1

Police or military interfere with

people’s private life
1 2 3 4 -1

Racist behavior 1 2 3 4 -1

Drug sale in streets 1 2 3 4 -1

QUESTION 61

Which of the following things have you done for reasons of security? (MULTIPLE RESPONSE)

Yes No

Didn’t carry much money 1 2

Preferred not to go out at night 1 2

Carried a knife, gun or other weapon 1 2

QUESTION 62

Have you been the victim of a crime during the past year? And what about your immediate

family–has someone in your family been the victim of a crime during the last year?

Respondent Family

Yes 1 2

No 2 2

DK/NA -1 -1

QUESTION 63

To what degree are you worried about the following situations?

Very

much

A good

deal

Not

much

Not

at all

DK/NA

Losing my job or not finding a job 1 2 3 4 -1

Not being able to give my children a good education

A war involving my country

A terrorist attack

A civil war

Government wire-tapping or reading my mail or email

QUESTION 64

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Under some conditions, war is

necessary to obtain justice.”

1. Agree

2. Disagree

Often Sometimes Rarely Never DK/NA

Gone without enough food to eat 1 2 3 4 -1

Felt unsafe from crime in your home 1 2 3 4 -1

Gone without medicine or medical treatment that you needed 1 2 3 4 -1

Gone without a cash income 1 2 3 4 -1

QUESTION 65

Now, I would like to read some statements and ask how much you agree or disagree with each

of these statements. For these questions, a 1 means that you “completely disagree” and a 10

means that you “completely agree.” (Code one number for each statement):

Science and technology are making our lives healthier, easier, and more comfortable.