Collection SOM surveys

The SOM Institute is an independent survey organisation at the University of Gothenburg. The Institute has collaborated with researchers from a range of disciplines since 1986, aiming to explore Swedes' attitudes in a range of areas and to understand the evolution of the Swedish society. The SOM Institute has always focused on Swedes' habits, behaviour, opinions and values with respect to society, politics and media. Every year since 1986, thousands of Swedes have responded to SOM surveys on issues ranging from politics and media to lifestyle, health and leisure habits.

The main purpose of the surveys is to establish time series that enable researchers to analyse how various changes in society affect people's attitudes and behaviour. This explains why many of the survey questions are formulated similarly year after year. By systematically following how people's opinions and behaviour change over time, the SOM Institute can complement the results with questions aimed to identify the reasons behind observed trends. The Institute's core surveys include:

The results from these surveys shed light on three levels of society: the national, the regional and the municipal. The National SOM is a nationwide survey conducted every year since 1986. Western SOM started in 1992 as a regional survey in Western Sweden, but was expanded to include the entire Västra Götaland County in 1998. The survey has been conducted yearly ever since the expansion. Southern SOM started in 2001 and focuses on Skåne County. Värmland SOM started in 2010 and focuses on Värmland County. Student SOM is conducted every autumn since 1993 and includes only students. In addition to these surveys, there are surveys of a more specialised nature, such as Young SOM, Community SOM, e-SOM, Short SOM and Class SOM. Show less..