The Estonian Generations and Gender Survey 2020:

Experience with large-scale web-based data collection

Authors

• Allan Puur Tallinn University
• Luule Sakkeus Tallinn University, Estonian Institute for Population Studies
• Liili Abuladze Tallinn University, Estonian Institute for Population Studies Väestöliitto, Population Research Institute
• Mark Gortfelder Tallinn University, Estonian Institute for Population Studies
• Martin Klesment Tallinn University, Estonian Institute for Population Studies
• Leen Rahnu Tallinn University, Estonian Institute for Population Studies
• Tiina Tambaum Tallinn University, Estonian Institute for Population Studies and Haapsalu College

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23979/fypr.141918

Keywords:

Generations and Gender Survey, web-based data collection, survey data quality, Estonia

Abstract

In Estonia, the Generations and Gender Survey 2020 (GGS-II) is the third large-scale demographic survey that collects data on family and fertility dynamics. As the country participates in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, the GGS-II opted for a shorter age range of the sample (18–59). The questionnaire in the GGS-II in Estonia follows the GGS-II wave 1 baseline questionnaire. The questionnaire also includes the Global Uncertainties’ module developed by the Nordic countries, a battery of questions on the perceived impact of COVID-19, and several country-specific items. The GGS-II in Estonia was implemented using only computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI). In this article, we present a concise overview of the sampling and data collection process, analyse representativeness and response rates, and briefly assess the data quality. We conclude that despite low response rates, the GGS-II provides a good basis for the analysis of fertility and family dynamics.