Research methods

Observational research

Comparative and longitudinal surveys

Surveys measure attitudes toward immigration and different dimensions of democratic attachment.

Repeated surveys and panel research follow change over time and in relation to migration flows, elections, policy changes, economic conditions, and political crises. The project uses online and face-to-face research where appropriate.

• Comparative survey research
• Repeated cross-sectional surveys
• Panel and longitudinal designs
• Online and face-to-face data collection

Experimental research

Conjoint, vignette, and survey experiments

Experiments help identify the factors and mechanisms that connect immigration attitudes with democratic preferences.

Conjoint designs present respondents with profiles whose characteristics vary randomly. Vignette and related survey experiments vary information or context. These designs allow the project to estimate how particular attributes, policies, or arguments affect responses while other factors are held constant.

Measurement research

AI-assisted survey-question development

One methodological strand tests whether AI can assist researchers in developing clearer and more neutral survey questions.

Questions are assessed for clarity, neutrality, inclusiveness, sensitivity, and fit across languages and contexts. AI-assisted questions are compared with conventionally developed questions through survey experiments. Better measurement is a result to be demonstrated, not assumed.

AI does not replace surveys or research participants in the project.

Research practice

Ethics, privacy, and transparency

Research involving human participants is subject to institutional ethics review and applicable data-protection requirements. Data minimisation, controlled access, and anonymisation are used where appropriate.

Preregistration, documentation, and replication materials will be used when applicable. Data and code will be shared only when ethics, consent, legal obligations, and participant protection permit.