Central and Eastern Eurobarometer Weighting Overview

Weighting factors in Central and Eastern Eurobarometer (CEEB) are produced and provided by the fieldwork institutes. Samples are supposed to be representative due to a strict random sampling procedures even without resource to weighting. For more specific information on sampling and weighting please see the respective technical specifications annexed to the each survey's basic documentation and report. In the case of CEEB 1 the sampling information only states that the surveys were conducted "on a nationally-representative basis".

Weighting variables are available starting with CEEB 3. The weighting factors for the GDR sample surveyed in May 1990 in the framework of CEEB1 are not documented and should only be used with caution. The CEEB 3 weighting factor is not available for all countries and for others it excludes a large number of respondents from calculation (see: Errata).

Overview of available weighting variables:

WEIGHTING FACTOR – COUNTRY

This variable contains weights that adjust the weighted samples to make them representative for the countries from which they were drawn. Considered population characteristics such as highest level of education completed within age, regional distribution or sex of the country's adult population are specified in the respective technical specification. If weighting was not possible the respective country is weighted by one (i.e. unchanged).

WEIGHTING FACTOR - REGION (i.e.  group of countries)

This variable contains weights that adjust each national sample in proportion to its nation's share in the total population (ages 15 and over) of the participating Central and Eastern European countries or of the respectively indicated group of countries (all other countries are weighted by zero). Please notice that in the case of CEEB 4 the region group weightings do not include the country specific weighting factors.

 The main country groups are:

• CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States)

• European Agreement (European association agreement countries)

• PHARE (countries participating in the European Union's Assistance Programme)

• VISEGRAD (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia)

• BALTIC (the three Baltic countries)

(Main source: European Commission, CEEB reports)

© GESIS Meinhard Moschner 24.11.2004