National Social Science Survey Panel, 1987

In 1987, respondents to the first Australian National Social Science Survey, 1984 (SSDA Study No. 423), whose addresses were known and who had not expressed opposition to being contacted again were approached by mail to be reinterviewed. The National Social Science Survey Panel 1987 includes the responses collected in 1987, in addition to all the responses from the original NSSS. The completion rate was 60%. The panel questions cover attitudes to individuals' ability to be involved in the political process; issues such as the death penalty, child rearing practices, and authority; opinions on unemployment, inflation, the national debt, social services and the federal system. Similar questions on some of these issues were also asked in 1984. Questions replicated in 1984 and 1987 are party preference and voting intentions in State and Federal elections, perceptions of some Australian politicians, political parties and countries, including the superpowers and most major countries in the Asia-Pacific region assessed using a feeling thermometer. All background variables were collected in the 1984 survey. Federal electoral divisions and social background characteristics of respondents' federal members of parliament have been added to the data.