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Title:
Surveys of Members of the European Parliament, 2000 and 2006
(European Parliament Research Group (EPRG) 2000 and 2006 Members of the European Parliament (MEP) Surveys)

Subject Categories:
Government and political systems - Politics
International politics and organisations - Politics
Elites and leadership - Social stratification and groupings

Depositor(s):
Hix, S., London School of Economics and Political Science. Department of Government

Principal Investigator(s):
Farrell, D., University of Manchester. Department of Politics
Hix, S., London School of Economics and Political Science. Department of Government
Scully, R., University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Department of International Politics

Data Collector(s):
National Centre for Social Research

Sponsor(s):
Economic and Social Research Council
Commission of the European Communities
Dutch National Science Foundation

Grant Number:
RES-000-22-1554

Abstract:
The most significant change in the institutional structure of European governance over the past two decades has been the increased power of the European Parliament (EP). Given the Parliament’s growing influence and the dramatic European Union(EU) enlargement in 2004, it has become increasingly important to monitor the attitudes and behaviour of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from different member states.

The European Parliament Research Group (EPRG) conducted two surveys of MEPs in 2000 and 2006. The 2000 survey was conducted in October-December 2000 and surveyed MEPs of the Fifth European Parliament (1999-2004). The 2006 survey was conducted in March-June 2006 and surveyed MEPs of the Sixth European Parliament (2004-09).

Further information about the survey can be found on the EPRG MEP Survey web page or the ESRC Award web page.

Main Topics:
The surveys include the following categories of questions:

• personal details (member state, date first elected to EP, previous political experience)
• electoral systems and candidate selection
• campaigning aims and activities
• attitudes/behaviour relating to representation
• behaviour in committees and voting in the Parliament
• general political attitudes
• attitudes towards specific EU policies
• attitudes towards EU institutional reform

Coverage:
Dates of Fieldwork: October 2000-June 2006
Country: Austria; Belgium; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; European Union Countries (1993-); Finland; France; Germany (October 1990-); Greece; Hungary; Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Netherlands; Poland; Portugal; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; United Kingdom
Spatial Units: EU Member States
Observation Units: Individuals
Kind of Data: Alpha/numeric data; Individual (micro) level

Universe Sampled:
Location of Units of Observation:Cross-national; National
Population:Members of the European Parliament in 2000 and 2006.

Methodology:
Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling Procedures: No sampling (total universe)
Number of Units: 2000: 195
2006: 272
Method of Data Collection: Postal survey; Web-based self-completion
Weighting: No weighting used

Language(s) of Written Materials:
Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English. Some of the answers in the data file are in various European languages.

Access:
Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.

In addition, ESDS is required to request permission from the depositor prior to supplying the data.
Availability: ESDS International, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: international@esds.ac.uk

Date of Release:
First Edition: 22 December 2008

Copyright:
Copyright D. Farrell, S. Hix, R. Scully and M. Johnston

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