The National SOM Survey Cumulative Dataset

In order to identify how the evolution of society affects Swedes’ attitudes and behaviour, the SOM Institute started its National SOM study in 1986. National SOM addresses three areas - society, opinions and mass media - and consists of a large number of questions related to politics, society, media and social background, but their areas of focus differ. Every year, the questionnaires are complemented with questions related to current events. Data is collected through postal questionnaires with an option to respond to the survey online, and each survey is conducted under conditions as identical as possible to make the results from the different years comparable.

The SOM Institute Cumulative Dataset contains data from the National SOM surveys from 1986. The data contains a selection of questions frequently asked over the years, focusing on time series. A general rule is that questions should have been asked at least four times.

The main purpose is to establish time series that enable researchers to analyse how various changes in society affect people's attitudes and behaviour.