The Application of Data Harmonization in Minority Studies. The Case of the Political Participation of the Russian Speaking Population in Former Soviet States

Abstract

This article discusses the theoretical possibilities and practical implications of survey data recycling and survey data harmonization. Using the example of political participation (participation in demonstration) of the Russian-speaking population in former Soviet states, the article presents the procedure of key variable harmonization (minority status), the rules, and the procedures of creating a harmonization control variable, and the possibilities of using harmonized variables in substantive statistical analysis. The harmonization procedures described in this article can be used to study other rare events and other minority groups – studies that often struggle with small and insufficient samples.