Mass Survey Research Articles

Assessment of the quality of malaria surveillance and laboratory services for diagnosis in three districts of Gujarat state, India.

Surveillance is the backbone for the control of malaria and its elimination. In the state of Gujarat, situated in the western region of India, some of the districts reported a high annual blood examination rate (ABER) for malaria. Therefore, a study was conducted to identify the underlying reasons for the increase in the ABER for malaria. Planned investigations were carried out in three of the state districts, scrutinizing records of malaria forms and other epidemiological data collected during health worker surveillance, assessment of laboratory services, and rapid fever surveys. The rate of fever ranged from 8 to 57% in the primary health centers that were surveyed. Analysis of epidemiological data revealed that malaria parasite positivity was more from passive than active surveillance. Increased ABER was accounted for by multiple factors, including blood slides collected during the mass survey and contact smears, which were included in the ABER and not mentioned separately. Blood slides prepared for the migrant population were included in the ABER, but the migrant population was not counted while calculating the ABER. The ABER in villages surveyed varied from 1.6 to 78%, which is mainly due to indiscriminate preparation of blood slides, i.e., without fever symptoms. Addressing the key gaps identified in data recording may aid in channeling the limited resources efficiently, thereby progressing toward malaria elimination. Adequate surveillance activities, along with systematic data recording, will enable timely, informed decision-making for the effective allocation of resources, ultimately supporting malaria elimination efforts in the state.

Contribution to the problem of mass survey of burgher houses using the example of Jihlava

Contribution to the problem of mass survey of burgher houses using the example of Jihlava

Contribution to the problem of mass survey of burgher houses using the example of Jihlava

Contribution to the problem of mass survey of burgher houses using the example of Jihlava

Громадська думка в Україні та Росії: ефекти повномасштабної війни, факторна зумовленість і вплив на політичні рішення

The paper compares the impact of public opinion about the war on political decisions in Ukraine and Russia. The research question is relevant in two senses. First, Ukraine defends itself against Russia’s unprovoked aggression. Second, Ukraine’s President Zelensky was elected in 2019 on the promise to develop direct democracy and various mechanisms of public participation in the political process, and that actualizes research of public opinion. The author used the data of the results of mass surveys conducted in the two belligerent countries in 2023 and 2024 by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology and the Levada Center. Answers to an open-ended question and two closed-ended questions were analyzed using content analysis and regression analysis. It is demonstrated that public opinion in Ukraine had its own dynamics and changed independently of the official position of the authorities. Changes in the public opinion in 2024 were particularly noticeable, and the perception of potential territorial concessions illustrates this tendency. Advantages and disadvantages of the independence of public opinion at wartime are considered. It is proposed to consider more active counterpropaganda efforts targeting Russia’s population, where the minor changes in public opinion and the authorities’ position were in the same direction; and rallying around the flag effect continued during the analyzed period.

Interactive advertising as a new factor of influence on consumer behaviour of youth

The article is devoted to the analysis of interactive advertising as a relatively new factor influencing the consumer behaviour of Moscow youth. The empirical basis of the work are statistical and sociological research data, including the authors’ own research conducted using the methods of mass survey and indepth interview. As the study has showed, the Moscow youth are quite familiar with the interactive advertising, most often encountering it on mobile devices and in gaming applications. The article analyses several types of the interactive advertising, differing in the degree of their impact on the consumer behaviour of young people. The authors come to the conclusion that the most effective in this regard are playable and video advertising placed in mobile device applications. As advantages of the interactive advertising, in comparison with the traditional format, the authors highlight its innovation and playful nature. At the same time, many young Muscovites express a negative attitude towards the interactive advertising, mainly because of its intrusiveness. Moreover, young men demonstrate greater loyalty to this format of advertising influence in comparison with young ladies. The authors come to the conclusion that, despite the noted shortcomings, the interactive advertising has great potential for development in modern society.

Party Cohesion, Congruence, and Foreign Powers: Latin American Views About China and the United States

While Latin America's parties suffer from notoriously incongruent relations between legislators and voters, we use mass and legislator-level surveys to show that many parties’ voters and/or legislators coalesce around a singular view about the United States and China. The data indicate frequent congruence between the two levels, and in most of those cases, attitudes towards both countries are positive. Presuming that policies towards the superpowers are not valence issues, this suggests that attitudes towards the powers do help to structure party politics, although the rivalry between the powers is seldom salient. In explaining the correlates of intra-partisan agreement, we focus on ideology, party system structuration, and economic ties. Among the findings is that because attitudes towards the United States are more likely to polarize the left and right, China has extra potential for growing its support. A warning, however, is that legislators in several rightist parties do share a negative perspective about China.

Professional burnout of medical workers: approaches to detection and prevention

The specificity of the medical profession, which involves constant communication with sufferers and their loved ones; the need to quickly master rapidly developing medical technologies and the digital environment; organizational and economic changes in the healthcare system that are increasingly intensifying the work of medical workers create a risk of expanding the scope and aggravation of the problem of professional burnout. The article presents an analysis of approaches to identifying signs and classifying the stages of professional burnout among medical workers, as well as methods for preventing and relieving this syndrome in domestic and foreign practice. In addition, the results of two mass surveys of medical specialists employed in the Moscow healthcare system, conducted at five-year intervals, are presented.

Analysis of the mass survey data reliability (using the example of smoking prevalence in Russia estimates)

Survey-based estimates of smoking prevalence in Russia, given by various quite respectable organizations for the same period, range from less than 20% to more than 50%. This scatter cannot be explained by differences in the conceptualization of the indicator (who is considered a smoker) and significantly affects the overall picture of smoking in Russia and the assessment of the success of anti-tobacco policy. This raises questions about the reliability of the relevant survey data. It can be solved in at least two ways: by analyzing and eliminating discrepancy factors or by choosing one of the studies as a reference with a thorough check of the reliability of its data. The article substantiates the choice of the second path and the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) as a reference. To check its reliability, three criteria were used: analysis of critical publications about research errors, methodological triangulation (comparison with data from other methods) and analysis of correlation with the consequences of smoking. All three criteria showed a high level of reliability of the RLMS data. The hypothesis about the research error put forward in critical publications does not find empirical confirmation. Comparison with other supposedly reliable data (both survey and non-survey) shows discrepancies below the margin of statistical error. The correlation of RLMS data on smoking with mortality from diseases of the circulatory system turns out to be extremely high. Therefore, it is advisable to consider the RLMS as a reference source of data on the prevalence of smoking in Russia, and indicators from other surveys that differ significantly from it as potentially questionable in their methodological decisions.

Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Canton): Ethno- Projections and Ethnicity of the Region within the Framework of the Russian Model of Federalism

The article concerns the analysis of the author’s field research in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YNAO) in 2021-2022. Based on the results of a mass survey of the population, recorded interviews and a focus group, various aspects of the ethnicity of the region and the role of the ethnic factor in the cultural and political space of the region are considered. The available information allows us to conclude that today one of the most visible and successful models of regional identity based on the culture of the peoples of the North has been formed in Yamal. However, the changed demographic appearance of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the problems of preserving the culture of the peoples of the North, internal contradictions in the social movement may in the future raise the question of the appropriateness of the chosen model. But its revision is impossible, since orientation to the culture of the peoples of the North is the foundation for the existence of autonomy.

Glass Ceiling Among Female Managers and Its Impact on Well-Being at Work

Despite governmental attempts in years to significantly encourage and support legislation aimed at gender diversities in the workplace, women have continued to be notably underrepresented in leadership roles. Women have typically held lower-level leadership positions than men, and there is little supporting evidence that women are appropriately executed in decision-making positions. Such a phenomenon is commonly called the 'glass ceiling', highlighting that achieving fair representation in management boards remains challenging for women. While the glass ceiling has become a popular research topic, only some theoretical models have tried to comprehend this social phenomenon and its implications for social change. Therefore, this study aims to provide a further understanding of the glass ceiling and its consequences. Drawing on the theory of conservation of resources, this study investigates sequencing relationships among glass ceiling, work-to-family conflict, and well-being at work. The mass survey was distributed among female managers at Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. There were 275 valid cases for descriptive and inferential analysis with partial least square structural equation modelling. It reveals three main findings, including significant sequencing relationships among glass ceiling, work-to-family conflict, and intention to quit with positive impacts; a significantly positive causal relationship between the glass ceiling and intention to quit; and work-to-family conflicts as a significant mediator intervening causal relationship between glass ceiling and intention to quit. This study may bring theoretical and practical implications on the glass ceiling among female managers at work.

The Conditions of Functioning of the Student Family in Modern Russia: The Main Problems and Resources of Well-Being

The research relevance of the of the Institute of student families is growing in the Russian Federation. Firstly, a student family is an object of social protection since the conditions of its functioning are associated with a number of problems. Therefore, resources are needed to form or restore well-being. Secondly, due to the decrease in the overall fertility rate and population in Russia student families can be considered as a demographic development resource. This study discusses well-being parameters of different types of student families. The purpose of this work is to systematize these parameters that determine the well–being of student families, which will allow us to draw conclusions about what resources families need. At the first stage, a theoretical analysis was carried out and definitions of the concept of “student family” were clarified. At the second stage of the study, sociological data were collected by a mass survey and factor analysis (the method of main components, Kaiser normalization) was carried out, which allowed us to determine the trends of student youth goal-setting. These goals underlie the formation of ideas about well-being. The methodological basis of the research is the theory of planned behavior, which allows us to consider the attitudes of student youth as significant for members of student families who are included in the social environment of the higher education space. As a result, it was revealed which attitudes are the basis for the formation of well-being. Empirical data were obtained within the framework of the All-Russian sociological study “Student Family of Russia” conducted by IDI FNIST RAS in 2022, the sample size was 1,388 students aged 17-28 years receiving higher professional education in 15 higher educational institutions in 12 regions of Russia. The study identified the historical conditions for changes in the institution of the student family and parameters of well-being and described different types of student families.

Subjective well-being: the problem of analyzing population qualitative heterogeneity (part 1)

The article discusses importance of the methodological problem of analyzing the qualitative heterogeneity of a set of objects in the process of sociological measuring of subjective well-being. It presents the results of an exploratory study aimed at testing a number of tools in procedures of reconstructing social types among the population as qualitatively homogeneous latent formations (according to the nature of subjective well-being). Taking as preconditions, the authors proceed from the existence of five group problems of a theoretical and methodological nature, the formulation and solution of which presumably contribute to developing a methodology for studying qualitative heterogeneity. This part of the article, first, substantiates the existence of a request for methodological reflecting the use of generalized indicators of subjective well-being (life satisfaction, personal happiness) in mass surveys, the importance of the transition to multidimensional models of measurement and analysis implemented within the conceptual framework of the typological method of social knowledge. Second, the complete set of particular indicators and the logic of their selection for typological analysis are offered (the results will be presented in the second part of the article). Third, the problem of studying the relationship between indicators of subjective well-being is raised from the perspective of forming the basis for the typology.

Visual presentation of the ethnic image of the Chuvash in cyberspace (using the example of social networks «VKontakte» and «Odnoklassniki»)

The article examines representational practices and mechanisms for the formation of visual images of Chuvash ethnicity in cyberspace. The purpose of this study is to determine the forms and methods of representing ethnicity, mechanisms and means of forming a visual ethnic image of the Chuvash in virtual space using the example of the social networks Odnoklassniki and VKontakte. The research is based on the study of visual content (posts, comments on them, discussions) in groups and on personal pages, materials from a mass survey of users of these social networks. The result of the study was a detailed description of the features of the formation and transmission of visual images of Chuvash ethnicity: visual sources, methods of visualization, functions and demand for visual content. The study showed that the visualization of the ethnic image of the Chuvash in cyberspace occurs through the symbolization of plots of ethnic history, elements of material and spiritual culture, through the use in the process of forming an ethnic image of fairy-tale, mythological, literary and real characters and pages of history, popular forms of representation of folk traditions – costume, national cuisine, holidays and rituals. Visual content is represented by photo and video materials, films, computer graphics, and animation. Visualization of ethnic content contributes to the stereotyping of the features of an ethnic image, acts as a means of constructing an ethnic image, a way of expressing belonging to an ethnic community, transmitting knowledge about the history of the traditional culture of the people, intra-ethnic communication, exchanging information between network users and their integration into the virtual space.

Subjectivity of the academic community in the conditions of managerialist management

The article analyzes the negative effects of managerialist management on the subjectivity of the academic community. The aim of the research: to establish a correlation between the decrease in the subjectivity of the academic community and the managerialist model of higher school management. Two methods were used to collect empirical information: a mass survey of teachers at four universities in Rostov region and the analysis of normative-legal documents regulating the application of managerialist norms to the higher education system. The result of the operationalization of basic concepts (subjectivity, academic community, managerialist management) was the definition of three empirical indicators: 1)perceptions of the academic community about the traditional goals of higher education; 2)resources of the academic community to achieve managerialist goals; 3)the presence of deformations in the professional ethics of academics and teachers. The study confirmed the hypothesis that the implemented managerialist policy has a negative impact on the academic community, reducing its subjectivity. Dysfunctions are manifested in two areas of professional activities of scientists and teachers. The first one is caused by the peculiarities of managerialism. Managerialism in any socio-cultural and socio-political conditions inevitably leads to the substitution of goals for the means of their achievement. This occurs due to the absence of reliable indicators for effective managers to assess the quality of reproducible results of their activities by scientists and teachers. The second direction is related to the loss of freedom in decision-making at meetings of historically established in universities sustainable social practices (meetings of the department, academic councils, dissertation councils, etc.). This is due to the administrative subordination of the academic community to the managerial tasks of the bureaucracy.

Modern Russia in collective consciousness of the country’s inhabitants

The article explores collective consciousness as a theoretical construct, a type of social consciousness and as real attitude of the population towards Russia at the emotional and rational levels. It shows that modern collective consciousness in Russia is a product of mass culture, which actualized during modernization of the Russian society in the economic, political, cultural and everyday spheres of life. Today, it is influenced by mass and high-tech communications, while also reflecting the life experience of different generations. The research methodology is based on the interpretation of collective consciousness as the averaged consciousness of the whole mass of individuals in social groups; it erases individual differences, human characteristics, which in any single case may not be the same as collective consciousness, but impart collective consciousness a qualitative diversity. Empirically, the research is based on representative mass surveys – the Seventh Wave of the Russian Values and Interests Monitoring (Summer 2023), Russian Survey of Young Russian Adults (June 2020), European Social Study (ESS 2018–2019). The research attempts to determine whether the Russian mentality is more emotional than rational towards their “lesser motherland” or birthplace, their oblast/republic/krai, Russia as a country and the author suggests that these properties of mentality constitute characteristics of such a complex psychological phenomenon as Russian patriotism. The article reveals a growing rational perception of the problems of society with outspoken criticism amid high levels of emo tional attitude of the respondents to the country and “lesser motherland”. Such is the evaluation of Russia’s attractive and unattractive characteristics and the importance of civil rights and liberties, among which the rights that ensure people’s basic modern life-supporting needs, such as employment, education, property, security and protection by law, were ranked first with more than 90% of respondents stating their support. There is also a cohort of young people aged 18–24, for whom political rights and democratic freedoms, enshrined in the Russian Constitution, become more important compared to other cohorts.

Mapping citizens, voters, and parties’ preferences on European solidarity across EU member states

ABSTRACT Since 2008, the European Union (EU) witnessed a growing tension between the social and economic dimensions of integration as a consequence of the ‘polycrisis’. The increasing politicisation of EU issues in national political arenas that led to the rise of Eurosceptic parties mostly revolved around the issue of European solidarity. Against this background, this study investigates the congruence between voters and incumbent members of national parliaments on the highly contentious aspects of EU solidarity. First, the article maps the extent to which national political elites share similar views on EU solidarity with their voters. Secondly, we assess members of parliaments (MPs)-voters’ congruence at the party level. Employing original data from an elite and a mass survey conducted in six EU countries between 2017 and 2018, we find that both voters and MPs expressed a high level of support for policies strengthening European solidarity in the Eurozone periphery. Instead, voters in Northern and Eastern EU member states shared more positive preferences than their national representatives. Furthermore, the party-voter distance was higher for radical-right Eurosceptic MPs, especially in Northern Europe, than for other parties.

The long-term consequences of power-sharing for ethnic salience

Does power-sharing reduce or increase ethnic salience? Drawing on social psychology, I identify two countervailing mechanisms that help reconcile previously opposed findings. First, prolonged power-sharing practices attenuate between-group inequalities. Thereby, they gradually reduce the usefulness of ethnic identities as ‘rules of thumb’ and decrease their salience. Second, extended periods during which individuals live under ethnically differentiated power-sharing institutions render ethnic identities more accessible and thereby increase their salience. To test these expectations, I rely on the most extensive collection of mass surveys used in the empirical literature on ethnic salience so far, encompassing more than 900,000 respondents from a total of 132 countries. I show that power-sharing affects individuals’ self-identification and vote intentions in accordance with my arguments. As my findings are based on specifications that incorporate fixed effects at the group- and group-year levels, they are unlikely to be endogenous to the provision of power-sharing to groups whose identities are most salient in the first place. My findings have important implications for efforts to institutionalize peace in divided societies and for the literature on ethnic conflict.

Die Bedeutung des Brexits für die Demokratie in Großbritannien

Abstract On the one hand, Brexit has repatriated key competences from the EU to the UK, broadening the scope for political decisions which respond to national democratic preferences. On the other hand, it has highlighted traditional weaknesses of the British democracy, further concentrating powers in the hands of the British government and strengthening the role of the Prime Minister as the head of an “elective dictatorship” subject to few checks and balances. We explore these developments in light of constitutional law, political expert opinions, and mass surveys, showing that British democracy remains strong but is challenged by heightened popular expectations and widespread demands for reform.

The relevance for the institute of mediation in modern Russia

The article considers the problem of the relevance for the institute of mediation in Russia. Statistical data for the country concerning 2020 are presented and data for the Rostov region to the same period are analyzed. A comparative analysis is made with data for the same period in the Sverdlovsk region. The information and empirical base of the study consists of materials from: the website of the Judicial Department at the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation; the Association of Mediators of the Rostov region “Reconciliation”; “Reconciliation Rooms” in the Arbitration Court of the Sverdlovsk region. The methods of content analysis, statistical analysis, in-depth interviews, and a mass survey conducted among the employed population of the Rostov region aged 21 to 30 years were used. The study revealed: low awareness of respondents about the possibilities of using the mediation procedure, its structure and features; low level of modern mediation practice in the country. It is shown that in Russia today the courts are inundated with lawsuits, while mediation could well constructively solve many social problems. The necessity of creating favorable conditions for the development of mediation activity and its popularization is substantiated. The main reasons preventing the institution of mediation from becoming a popular activity among the population are identified: a low culture of conflict resolution, which in some cases leads to the avoidance of disputants from finding a suitable way to resolve it; a factor of insufficient confidence in the possibility of resolvinga dispute involving a third party. It is concluded that the lack of trust is primarily due to insufficient awareness of the population about the essence of the mediation procedure, about the legal status of the mediation agreement, which in the case of notarization has the force of an executive document. The wider use of all types of media, the increase in online platforms with the location of mediation webinars conducted by experienced specialists in this field will help spread the practice of mediation and will contribute to its early institutionalization.

The Pigmentocracy of Executive Approval

We advance a theory of pigmentocratic executive approval that accounts for both skin color-based group attachments and deviations in skin tone between citizens and leaders. We argue that such deviations will decrease approval most strongly for those lighter in complexion than the incumbent. We further argue that individuals will most strongly punish incumbents for poor economic performance when their skin tone is lighter than the executive’s. To test our theory, we assess the skin tone of dozens of leaders from the Americas, and we couple the resulting measure with mass survey data from the leaders’ countries. Our findings demonstrate that executive approval throughout the Americas replicates patterns of “pigmentocracy”—inequalities and hierarchies that privilege lighter skin tones.