Measuring democracy among ordinary citizens—Challenges to studying democratic ideals
The article addresses the methodological challenges in measuring democratic ideals on an individual level in quantitative studies. Building upon own empirical research, the study identifies several difficulties in assessing individuals' attitudes on democracy. In addition to a discussion of qua...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-10-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Political Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2022.934996/full |
| _version_ | 1811154959225323520 |
|---|---|
| author | Jan-Erik Refle |
| author_facet | Jan-Erik Refle |
| author_sort | Jan-Erik Refle |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The article addresses the methodological challenges in measuring democratic ideals on an individual level in quantitative studies. Building upon own empirical research, the study identifies several difficulties in assessing individuals' attitudes on democracy. In addition to a discussion of quantitative measures on individual-level data such as the ESS module on democracy or the Afrobarometer measures, the study assesses the possibility of other endeavors and what these look like. The study identifies multidimensionality, the association between elements, as well as problems in aggregating concepts, as important elements to be addressed in research. In the last step, certain quantitative measures are tested through a survey to show possible solutions to the issues. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:25:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-389e60ae4baf47c293166b9cec7b334c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-3145 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:25:55Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Political Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-389e60ae4baf47c293166b9cec7b334c2023-03-10T14:20:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Political Science2673-31452022-10-01410.3389/fpos.2022.934996934996Measuring democracy among ordinary citizens—Challenges to studying democratic idealsJan-Erik RefleThe article addresses the methodological challenges in measuring democratic ideals on an individual level in quantitative studies. Building upon own empirical research, the study identifies several difficulties in assessing individuals' attitudes on democracy. In addition to a discussion of quantitative measures on individual-level data such as the ESS module on democracy or the Afrobarometer measures, the study assesses the possibility of other endeavors and what these look like. The study identifies multidimensionality, the association between elements, as well as problems in aggregating concepts, as important elements to be addressed in research. In the last step, certain quantitative measures are tested through a survey to show possible solutions to the issues.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2022.934996/fulldemocracyconceptionsmeasuresattitudesindividualsquantitative data |
| spellingShingle | Jan-Erik Refle Measuring democracy among ordinary citizens—Challenges to studying democratic ideals Frontiers in Political Science democracy conceptions measures attitudes individuals quantitative data |
| title | Measuring democracy among ordinary citizens—Challenges to studying democratic ideals |
| title_full | Measuring democracy among ordinary citizens—Challenges to studying democratic ideals |
| title_fullStr | Measuring democracy among ordinary citizens—Challenges to studying democratic ideals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measuring democracy among ordinary citizens—Challenges to studying democratic ideals |
| title_short | Measuring democracy among ordinary citizens—Challenges to studying democratic ideals |
| title_sort | measuring democracy among ordinary citizens challenges to studying democratic ideals |
| topic | democracy conceptions measures attitudes individuals quantitative data |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2022.934996/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT janerikrefle measuringdemocracyamongordinarycitizenschallengestostudyingdemocraticideals |