GESIS Panel.dbd Insight Days – Workshop in Mannheim
For those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of web tracking data and its combination with survey data, the GESIS Panel.dbd Insight Days offer a hands-on introduction on February 23–24, 2026 in Mannheim (language: English).
The two-day workshop provides fundamentals and best practices for working with the GESIS Panel.dbd, combining expert presentations with interactive formats and fostering exchange among researchers from various disciplines. Topics include study design, methodological possibilities and limitations, as well as the development of individual research ideas.
A highlight is exclusive access to a closed Call for Study Proposals, available only to participants, allowing research projects to be implemented directly within the GESIS Panel.dbd infrastructure.
Participation is free of charge. The application deadline is October 31, 2025. All information and the application form can be found here.
GESIS Spring Seminar 2026 on Advanced Regression Modeling – Save the Date!
📅 Save the Date: 09–27 March 2026 for an inspiring learning experience!
The GESIS Spring Seminar is renowned for providing high-quality training in state-of-the-art techniques in quantitative data analysis taught by leading experts in the field. Each year, we select a topic that mirrors the latest advancements and innovations in social science research methodology. Next year, we’ll delve into Advanced Regression Modeling, and we’re excited to share our course titles and lecturers.
Week 1 (09–13 March): Advanced Problems in Multilevel and Longitudinal Modeling
📍 Lecturer: George Leckie (University of Bristol)
Week 2 (16–20 March): Advanced Modeling of Categorical Variables
📍 Lecturers: Maria Kateri (RWTH Aachen University) & Irini Moustaki (London School of Economics and Political Science)
Week 3 (23–27 March): Advanced Problems in Structural Equation Modeling
📍 Lecturers: Suzanne Jak (University of Amsterdam) & Terrence Jorgensen (University of Amsterdam)
The full program will be published in October, when registration also opens. For more information on the Spring Seminar, visit our website.
GESIS Workshops 2025 – Tailored to Your Needs
With autumn well underway, this is your last chance to register for our 2025 workshops and advance your research skills! From software tools to advanced analytical methods, our program offers a diverse range of topics tailored to different interests and experience levels.
If you want to strengthen your programming and data-handling skills, our software-focused workshops are the place to start. Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis (in German) offers a gentle introduction to quantitative empirical research with R or Stata – no prior experience needed! Data Management, Advanced Programming and Automation using Stata shows you best practices for handling data and automating programming tasks. Data Visualization with Stata helps you communicate your results clearly and effectively. And if you are ready to take coding further, R Package Development walks you step by step through creating, documenting, testing, and publishing your own R packages.
Beyond software, our workshops also dive into specialized methods that help address some of the most important analytical questions in social science. Explainable AI and Fair Machine Learning with R and Python teaches you how to open the “black box” of machine learning models and assess their fairness. Decomposition Methods equips you to break down group differences and identify the factors driving them. Data Quality Assessment for Survey Responses provides tools to detect and handle survey data quality issues to ensure your data is reliable. Finally, Mixed Methods and Multimethod Research (in German) offers practical guidance for combining multiple qualitative and/or quantitative approaches into a coherent design.
For additional details, registration, and our complete workshop program, visit our website or have a look at the complete program below.
Neue Online-Vorträge zum Thema „Mit KODAQS Datenqualität sichern: Clevere Tools für die Sozialwissenschaften” (ab 16.10.2025)
Die Qualität von Daten entscheidet darüber, ob Forschungsergebnisse belastbar, vergleichbar und wirklich nützlich sind. Gerade in den Sozialwissenschaften – mit ihrer Vielfalt an Quellen wie Umfragedaten, Textdaten und verknüpften Datensätzen – entstehen neben großen Chancen auch typische Risiken: verzerrte Stichproben, schwankende Antwortqualität, unklare Provenienz oder Lücken in der Dokumentation. Die KODAQS Meet-the-Experts-Staffel widmet sich genau diesen Herausforderungen.
In dieser kompakten Reihe zeigen wir Schritt für Schritt, wie frei verfügbare Werkzeuge aus der KODAQS Toolbox dabei helfen, Datenqualität systematisch zu analysieren und gezielt zu verbessern – von der Prüfung der Repräsentativität über die Bewertung von Messgüte bis zur transparenten Beschreibung digitaler Datenquellen. Die Vorträge verbinden kurze Inputs mit praxisnahen Demonstrationen und richten sich an Forschende und Praktiker*innen, die robuste Analysen planen, durchführen und nachvollziehbar dokumentieren möchten.
Hier die Termine der jeweils einstündigen englischsprachigen Online-Vorträge (donnerstags, 13:00 – 14:00 Uhr):
16.10.2025, 13-14 Uhr: KODAQS Toolbox: Ensuring Measurement Validity for computational text analysis with ValiText (Birkenmeier)
06.11.2025, 13-14 Uhr: KODAQS Toolbox: Using SampCompR for survey representation bias comparisons (Rohr)
New online lectures on the topic of “Ensuring data quality with KODAQS: Smart tools for the social sciences” (starting October 16, 2025)
The quality of data determines whether research results are reliable, comparable, and truly useful. In the social sciences in particular—with their diversity of sources such as survey data, text data, and linked data sets—there are not only great opportunities but also typical risks: biased samples, fluctuating response quality, unclear provenance, or gaps in documentation. The KODAQS Meet the Experts series is dedicated to addressing precisely these challenges.
In this compact series, we show step by step how freely available tools from the KODAQS Toolbox can help to systematically analyze and specifically improve data quality—from checking representativeness and evaluating measurement quality to transparently describing digital data sources. The presentations combine short inputs with practical demonstrations and are aimed at researchers and practitioners who want to plan, carry out, and document robust analyses in a comprehensible manner.
Here are the dates for the one-hour online presentations (Thursdays, 1:00–2:00 p.m.):
October 16, 2025, 1:00–2:00 p.m.: KODAQS Toolbox: Ensuring Measurement Validity for computational text analysis with ValiText (Birkenmeier)
November 6, 2025, 1:00–2:00 p.m.: KODAQS Toolbox: Using SampCompR for survey representation bias comparisons (Rohr)
December 11, 2025, 1:00–2:00 p.m.: KODAQS Toolbox: Resquin – Assessing response quality in multi-item scales (Kraemer)
January 15, 2026, 1:00–2:00 p.m.: KODAQS Toolbox: AreaMatch – Linking survey and geospatial data with misaligned spatial units (Stroppe)
February 5, 2026, 1:00–2:00 p.m.: KODAQS Toolbox: Preprocessing text data with TextPrep (Peters)
March 5, 2026, 1:00–2:00 p.m.: KODAQS Toolbox: Documenting and critically reflecting on online platform datasets with TES-D (Fröhling)
After a presentation on the respective topic, our experts will be available for questions and discussion.
Neue HSR erschienen: 50.3 - Convention Theory & Education
Special Issue – Christian Imdorf, Arne Böker, Romuald Normand, Christian Schneijderberg & Rebecca Ye (Eds.): Convention Theory in Research on Schools, Vocational Training, and Higher Education.
Diese HSR-Sonderausgabe untersucht das Potenzial der Konventionstheorie für die Bildungsforschung in Schulen, der beruflichen Bildung und der Hochschulbildung. Die zehn Originalbeiträge der Ausgabe decken verschiedene Bildungskontexte und -segmente ab, von der Schule über die Berufsausbildung bis hin zur Hochschulbildung, sowie unterschiedliche methodische Ansätze und bieten wichtige Einblicke in den aktuellen Stand der Bildungsforschung, die sich an der Konventionstheorie orientiert.
Special Issue – Christian Imdorf, Arne Böker, Romuald Normand, Christian Schneijderberg & Rebecca Ye (Eds.): Convention Theory in Research on Schools, Vocational Training, and Higher Education.
This HSR Special Issue explores convention theory’s potential for educational research across schools, vocational training, and higher education. The ten original contributions of the issue cover various educational contexts and segments from school to vocational training and higher education, as well as different methodological approaches, offering key insights into the current state of education research guided by convention theory.
Neuer Blog-Beitrag: Der achte Teil der Data-Spotlight-Reihe beleuchtet die GESIS-Datensammlung zu Replikationsmaterial
Dr. Alexander Jedinger & Deivina Jekobsone: Data Spotlight #8 - Thematic Data Collection on Replication Material
GESIS hat eine thematische Datensammlung zum Thema „Replikationsmaterial” zusammengestellt, die mit veröffentlichten Artikeln verknüpft ist und die Möglichkeit bietet, Studien zu einer Vielzahl von Themen zu replizieren.
New blog post: The eighth part of the Data Spotlight series highlights the GESIS data collection on replication material
Dr. Alexander Jedinger & Deivina Jekobsone: Data Spotlight #8 - Thematic Data Collection on Replication Material
GESIS has curated a thematic data collection on “replication material” linked to published articles, providing the opportunity to replicate studies on a variety of topics.
Neue Publikation: The educational wealth divide in Europe: Post-secondary enrollment gaps across parental wealth components and countries
Pietrolucci, Andrea, Jascha Dräger, Nora Müller, and Marco Albertini. 2025. "The educational wealth divide in Europe: Post-secondary enrollment gaps across parental wealth components and countries." Research in Social Stratification and Mobility 101086: . doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2025.101086
Warum haben manche junge Menschen bessere Chancen auf ein Studium oder eine andere Form postsekundärer Ausbildung als andere? Eine neue Studie zeigt: Das Vermögen der Eltern bzw. Sorgeberechtigten spielt dabei eine entscheidende Rolle. Grundlage sind harmonisierte Daten aus 15 europäischen Ländern.
Das Ergebnis: In fast allen untersuchten Ländern sind junge Menschen aus vermögenderen Haushalten deutlich häufiger in der Hochschulbildung vertreten als Gleichaltrige aus weniger wohlhabenden Familien. Besonders groß sind die Unterschiede in Süd- und Osteuropa, während sie in Kontinentaleuropa kleiner ausfallen.
Out now: The educational wealth divide in Europe: Post-secondary enrollment gaps across parental wealth components and countries
Pietrolucci, Andrea, Jascha Dräger, Nora Müller, and Marco Albertini. 2025. "The educational wealth divide in Europe: Post-secondary enrollment gaps across parental wealth components and countries." Research in Social Stratification and Mobility 101086: . doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2025.101086
Why do young people in some families have better chances of entering university or other post-secondary education than others? A new study sheds light on the role of parental wealth in this process, using harmonized data from 15 European countries.
The analysis shows that parental wealth is a key factor in shaping educational opportunities. Across almost all countries studied, young people from wealthier households are more likely to enroll in post-secondary education than their peers from less wealthy families. These wealth-related enrollment gaps are particularly pronounced in Southern and Eastern Europe, while they tend to be smaller in Continental Europe.
Neuer Beitrag im GESIS Blog: Birte Kuhle schreibt über die Messung forschungsbasierten Wissenstransfers durch die Verknüpfung von Web- und Umfragedaten
Im vierten und letzten Teil der Wi4impact-Blog-Reihe reflektiert Birte Kuhle Ansätze und Herausforderungen bei der Messung forschungsbasierten Wissenstransfers durch die Verknüpfung von Web- und Umfragedaten. Aufbauend auf einem Evaluationsmodell für Wissenschaftskommunikation wird ein Ansatz für die Bewertung der Effektivität von digitalem Wissenstransfer am Beispiel deutscher akademischer Wissenschaftsblogs und -podcasts verfolgt.
New blog post: Birte Kuhle writes about measuring knowledge transfer by linking data
The final Wi4impact blog post reflects on approaches and challenges in measuring research-based knowledge transfer by linking web and survey data. Building on an evaluation framework for science communication, the author proposes an approach for assessing the effectiveness of digital knowledge transfer using the case of German academic science blogs and podcasts.
Frauenanteil bei Hochschulleitungen steigt auf über 30 Prozent - Datenreport Geschlechtergleichstellung in Hochschulgremien erschienen
Löther, Andrea (2025): Geschlechtergleichstellung in Entscheidungsgremien von Hochschulen (2023 / 2024), unter Mitarbeit von Laura Domingos Monteiro. Hg. v. GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften: Köln (CEWS/publik no. 35 | Datenreport).
Die Beteiligung von Frauen an Entscheidungsprozessen und damit an (fach-)politischer Macht ist ein wesentliches Element von Geschlechtergerechtigkeit. Der Datenreport stellt Daten zur Hochschulleitung, Senaten, Hochschulräten und Fakultätsleitungen zusammen und präsentiert die Daten für 2024 bzw. 2023.
Proportion of women in university management rises to over 30 percent – Data report on gender equality in university committees published
Löther, Andrea (2025): Geschlechtergleichstellung in Entscheidungsgremien von Hochschulen (2023 / 2024), unter Mitarbeit von Laura Domingos Monteiro. Hg. v. GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften: Köln (CEWS/publik no. 35 | Datenreport).
The participation of women in decision-making processes and thus in (specialized) political power is an essential element of gender equality. The data report compiles data on university management, senates, university councils, and faculty management and presents the data for 2024 and 2023.
Neu erschienen: Schneider & Urban: A myriad of options: Validity and comparability of alternative international education variables.
Schneider S.L. & Urban J. (2025). A myriad of options: Validity and comparability of alternative international education variables. Survey Methods: Insights from the Field, Special issue ‘Advancing Comparative Research: Exploring Errors and Quality Indicators in Social Research’. Retrieved from https://surveyinsights.org/?p=19796
Die Messung von Bildung als Schlüsselvariable in länderübergreifenden Umfragen ist aufgrund der Komplexität und Variabilität der Bildungssysteme in den verschiedenen Ländern eine Herausforderung.
Diese Studie baut auf früheren Forschungen auf und bewertet die Validität und Vergleichbarkeit von 16 alternativen Kodierungsspezifikationen für Bildung anhand von fast 400 abhängigen Variablen, um eine optimale Lösung zu finden, die als Standard dienen könnte.
Out now: Schneider & Urban: A myriad of options: Validity and comparability of alternative international education variables.
Schneider S.L. & Urban J. (2025). A myriad of options: Validity and comparability of alternative international education variables. Survey Methods: Insights from the Field, Special issue ‘Advancing Comparative Research: Exploring Errors and Quality Indicators in Social Research’. Retrieved from https://surveyinsights.org/?p=19796
Measuring education as a key variable in cross-national surveys is challenging due to the complexity and variability of educational systems across countries.
This study, expanding on previous research, evaluates the validity and comparability of 16 alternative education coding specifications using nearly 400 dependent variables to identify an optimal solution that could serve as a standard.
Neuer Beitrag im GESIS Blog über Sprache als Faktor für eine verlässlichen Wissenschaft
Warum ist Sprache so entscheidend im Kontext wissenschaftlicher Replizierbarkeit und wie können Forschende sprachbezogenen Herausforderungen begegnen?
Antworten auf diese Fragen suchen Xenia Schmalz, Johannes Breuer, Mario Haim, Andrea Hildebrandt, Philipp Knöpfle, Anna Yi Leung und Timo Roettger in ihrem Paper „Let’s talk about language—and its role for replicability”, das im Journal „Humanities and Social Sciences Communications“ erschienen ist und der im Blog-Beitrag genauer beleuchtet wird.
New blog post about language and its role for reliable science
Why is language so crucial in the context of scientific replicability, and how can researchers address language-related challenges?
Xenia Schmalz, Johannes Breuer, Mario Haim, Andrea Hildebrandt, Philipp Knöpfle, Anna Yi Leung, and Timo Roettger seek answers to these questions in their paper “Let's talk about language—and its role for replicability,” which was published in the journal “Humanities and Social Sciences Communications” and described in the blog post.
Insa Bechert, Kerstin Beck, and Ivet Solanes Ros: Caring for Data’s Soul –The Development of a Curation Impact Factor to Pinpoint the Effects of Data Curation Activities on Data Quality, in: International Journal of Digital Curation2025, Vol. 19, Iss.1, pp.21, DOI: 10.2218/ijdc.v19i1.1030.
Die Kuratierung ist entscheidend für die Datenqualität! In diesem Beitrag veranschaulichen die Autorinnen Insa Bechert, Kerstin Beck und Ivet Solanes Ros von GESIS anhand von Daten aus zwei länderübergreifenden Sozialumfrageprogrammen, der European Value Study (EVS) und dem International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), die häufigsten Fehler, die in unkuratierten internationalen Vergleichsdaten auftreten, und machen auf die Probleme aufmerksam, die sich aus solchen Fehlern in den Analyseergebnissen ergeben können.
Out now: Bechert, Beck & Solanes Ros: Caring for Data’s Soul
Insa Bechert, Kerstin Beck, and Ivet Solanes Ros: Caring for Data’s Soul –The Development of a Curation Impact Factor to Pinpoint the Effects of Data Curation Activities on Data Quality, in: International Journal of Digital Curation2025, Vol. 19, Iss.1, pp.21, DOI: 10.2218/ijdc.v19i1.1030.
Curation matters for data quality! In this paper, the authors Insa Bechert, Kerstin Beck und Ivet Solanes Ros from GESIS will illustrate on the example of data from two cross-national social survey programs, the European Value Study (EVS) and the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), the most common errors that occur in uncurated international comparative data and draw attention to the problems that can arise from such errors in analyses’ results.
Jetzt verfügbar: Pötzschke & Ramos: Magic bullet or questionable remedy? Discussing the use of Meta advertising to recruit hard-to-reach migrants for surveys
Steffen Pötzschke, Howard Ramos, Magic bullet or questionable remedy? Discussing the use of Meta advertising to recruit hard-to-reach migrants for surveys, Journal of Refugee Studies, 2025;, feaf052, https://doi.org/10.1093/jrs/feaf052
Während die Nachfrage nach aktuellen Daten zu Migranten und Flüchtlingen wächst, kann es schwierig sein, diese für Umfragen zu gewinnen. Könnten Anzeigen auf Facebook und Instagram Teil der Lösung sein? Im neuen Artikel beleuchten die Autoren Steffen Pötzschke und Howard Ramos sowohl die Vorteile als auch die Nachteile der Verwendung solcher Anzeigen, um schwer erreichbare Migrantengruppen zu gewinnen.
Out now: Pötzschke & Ramos: Magic bullet or questionable remedy? Discussing the use of Meta advertising to recruit hard-to-reach migrants for surveys
Steffen Pötzschke, Howard Ramos, Magic bullet or questionable remedy? Discussing the use of Meta advertising to recruit hard-to-reach migrants for surveys, Journal of Refugee Studies, 2025;, feaf052, https://doi.org/10.1093/jrs/feaf052
While demand for timely data on migrants and refugees grows, recruiting them for surveys can be challenging. Could advertisements on Facebook and Instagram be part of the answer? In their new piece, the authors Steffen Pötzschke and Howard Ramos unpack both the promises and the pitfalls of using such ads to recruit hard-to-reach migrant populations.
