Eurobarometer 81.5: Social Climate and Innovation in Science and Technology, June 2014

The Eurobarometer series is a unique cross-national and cross-temporal survey program conducted on behalf of the European Commission. These surveys regularly monitor public opinion in the European Union (EU) member countries and consist of standard modules and special topic modules. The standard modules address attitudes towards European unification, institutions and policies, measurements for general socio-political orientations, as well as respondent and household demographics. The special topic modules address such topics as agriculture, education, natural environment and resources, public health, public safety and crime, and science and technology. This round of Eurobarometer surveys includes the standard modules and covers the following special topics: (1) Social Climate, and (2) Science, Research and Innovation. Respondent's opinions were collected on life satisfaction, area of living, healthcare, pension system, unemployment benefits, cost of benefits, the way the country is run, cost of living and affordability of energy and housing, in present time, in next twelve months and compared to five years ago. Thoughts about why people live in poverty were collected, general trustworthiness of people, views on how to help solve social and economic problems and views about education. As it relates to Science Research and Innovation respondents were asked how people's actions will affect the following 15 years from now: fight against climate change, Protections of the environment, energy supply, health and medical care, job creation, availability and quality of food, as well as transport and transport infrastructure. Opinions were collected on priorities for science and technological innovation. Respondents were asked about their academic past in studying science and technology. Demographic and other background information collected includes age, gender, nationality, marital status and parental relations, occupation, age when stopped full-time education, household composition, ownership of durable goods, difficulties in paying bills, self-assessed level in society, self-assessed social class, and Internet use. In addition, country-specific data includes type and size of locality, region of residence, and language of interview (select countries).