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The ISPO research activities encompass four domains:
 Election studies: political behaviour and attitudes
In 1991 the ISPO started a panel study into political behaviour and attitudes of the Flemish. In the general elections studies of 1995 en 1999 additional data were gathered. In 2003 a fourth wave was launched. Due to panel attrition a whole new sample was used.
The four waves allow to distinguish and explain political trends in Flanders. The electoral research of ISPO is not only longitudinal but also has a comparative angle. Through cooperation with the Francophone partner PIOP (University; Louvain-la-Neuve) a broader comparison is possible. Comparison with other countries is also one of the interests of the ISPO. ISPO is member of a number of international networks such as the TMR-network, sponsored by the European Union and the CSES-network (Comparative Study of Electoral Systems) of the University of Michigan. More ...
Research on minorities
ISPO researches on integration and participation of minorities in the Belgian society. The theoretical frame adopted by ISPO starts from a dynamic relationship between minorities and majorities and considers full citizenship as the result of social, cultural and political participation. ISPO minority studies is as well qualitative as quantitative. The comparative element consists of comparisons of different minorities within society, and are guaranteed by the international network that surround the ISPO. Among these networks, we cite the UNESCO-network MOST, and 'Social Capital and Minorities in European Cities'. More ...
Values and cultural change
Values and changes (sets of) values are studies within an international setting. The stability and change in religious beliefs, ethical puzzles, ethnocentrism and other, are the research focus in 'Comparative and longitudinal research of cultural change' (FWO-WGO) in international surveys, such as the European Value Study (EVS) and the RAMP. In collaboration with Higher Institute of Labour Studies (HIVA), ISPO also does research about the perception and attitudes of Belgians towards new immigrants. More ...
Quantitative and qualitative methodology of comparative and longitudinal research
In close collaboration with and additional to the activities of the Centre for Survey Methodology, ISPO zooms into specific methodological puzzles in comparative and longitudinal research. One example of an issue that extents the substantive research of ISPO, is research on impact of panel attrition. Another example are the possibilities and constraints of experimental designs in survey research via Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing. More ... |
