The European Value Survey (EVS) and the World Value Survey (WVS) are two large-scale, cross-national and longitudinal survey research programs. They include a large number of questions, which have been replicated since the early eighties. About 102 countries/regions with altogether 423.084 respondents participated in the six waves conducted up to now: 1981-1984, 1989-1993, 1994-1999, 1999-2004, 2005-2006, and 2008-2010. Apart from a few exceptions, a country participated either in an EVS wave or in a WVS wave but not in both.
The EVS is being processed by the University of Tilburg and GESIS Dept. Data Archive for the Social Sciences in Cologne, the WVS by ASEP/JDS Data Archive in Madrid. Each group, EVS and WVS, has constructed a longitudinal data file which is distributed through their website and retrieval systems.
* The pre-release of the EVS Longitudinal Data File 1981-2008 has been constructed from the waves 1981, 1990, 1999, and 2008. Study and variable related documentation on the waves including information on version history and errata can be accessed on the EVS website. The data file and accompanying documentation can be downloaded from the GESIS Online Study Catalogue ZACAT.
* The WVS longitudinal file 1981-2008 has been constructed from the waves 1981, 1990, 1995/1998, and 1999/2000, 2005/2008. The data file as well as accompanying study and variable related documentation including information on version history and errata can be downloaded on the WVS website. If you wish to access the complete value studies results online, go to the ASEP/JDS Online Data Analysis system.
In order to broaden the range of comparison, both projects agreed on harmonization of variables and data on basis of a common dictionary (Values Surveys 1981-2004 Integrated Questionnaire v.20060423 [link]). Further, they are going to provide up to date information and assistance to users on constructing a data file Integrated Values Surveys 1981-2008 on basis of both longitudinal files:
* EVS Longitudinal Data File 1981-2008, ZA4804: pre-release v.1.0.0, 2011-04-30, doi:10.4232/1.4804.
* World Value Survey 1981-2008 official aggregate v.20090902, 2009.
Therefore, both groups are going to provide regular information on the source data files, release version, and documentation on the EVS website and WVS website. There you will also find a procedure and syntax file which assists you in merging the data. Information about countries participating in EVS and WVS waves and variable correspondence lists are accessible there, too.
An overview of the different sources of data and documentation is given in document ‘Values Surveys Data File Information’. For instruction on how to refer to the resulting Value Survey data file and ways to make publications visible to the scientific community, please also see the document ‘Values Surveys Conditions of Use’.
Consultation and advice
* For EVS: Tilburg University EVS@uvt.nl and GESIS Dept. Data Archive (EVSservice@gesis.org) in Cologne.
* For WVS: WVS Secretariat (bi@bikupan.se) and ASEP/JDS Data Archive (asep.jds@jdsurvey.net) in Madrid.
