FSD1069 Energy Attitudes of the Finns 1990
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Kiljunen, Pentti (University of Tampere. Department of Local Government Studies)
Abstract
The survey studied Finnish public opinion on energy policy issues. The data are part of an extensive survey series launched in 1983. The respondents' conceptions, opinions, beliefs, assessments, attitudes and knowledge about various energy issues were studied by presenting several statements about energy production. The respondents were also asked in what direction the electricity power production should be developed in Finland and how important they regarded the following factors connected with energy production to be: price, non-polluting energy, availability, domestic energy sources, safety, and production reliability. Moreover, the respondents were asked whether they would prefer nuclear power to coal, and who has real power in the decision-making regarding energy policy. Finally, the respondents' views on what kind of impact constructing new nuclear power plants in Finland or giving up the use of nuclear power would have on Finnish society.
Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, size of the municipality, region, occupation, education, and which political party R would vote for if the parliamentary elections were held at that time.
Keywords
coal; electric power generation; energy; energy policy; environment; gas fuels; nuclear energy; peat; renewable energy; water power
Topic Classification
environmental studies (FSD Topics Classification)
environmental degradation/pollution and environmental protection (CESSDA Topics Classification)
Series Name
Restrictions
Access to the materials granted for scientific and educational purposes. FSD's permission procedure. Restricted access.
Data Collector
Kiljunen, Pentti (University of Tampere. Department of Local Government Studies)
Data Producer
Imatran Voima
Collection Date
12.9.1990 - 8.12.1990
Nation
Finland
Geographical Coverage
Finland
Analysis Unit
Individual
Universe
Finns aged 18-70 (excluding the Åland Islands)
Sampling Procedure
Simple random sampling
The questionnaire was sent to 4,652 persons. The target group consisted of eight separate samples. The entire Finnish population (excluding the Åland Islands citizens) was represented by a group of 2,500 persons aged between 17 and 70, randomly sampled from the population register. Respondents received a questionnaire in Finnish or Swedish, according to their native language. Two additional samples represented municipalities with nuclear power plants: Loviisa (250 persons) and Eurajoki (250 persons). Two samples of similar size represented the municipalities of Kuhmo and Sievi, which are potential nuclear waste repository sites. The fifth municipal-based sample represented the citizens of Pori (250 persons), a potential coal-fired power plant site.
In the 1990 survey teachers/researchers of energy matters (402 persons) and journalists working at the time (500 persons) formed two extra target groups. The questionnaire used was similar to the one used with other target groups, only the background variables were less numerous. Teachers/researchers were chosen from the person registers of relevant universities/polytechnics/colleges, schools, and institutes with their help and permission. The aim was to include as many persons corresponding to the eligibility criteria as possible. The target group of journalists was sampled from the member register of the Association of Finnish Journalists. 2,854 adequately completed questionnaires were returned and the total response rate was 61.4%.
The response rate varied somewhat between the different target groups: in the sample representing the entire Finnish population it was 61.5%, in the Loviisa sample 66.8%, Eurajoki 56.8 %, Kuhmo 61.2 %, Sievi 53.2 %, Pori 65.6 %, teachers/researchers 71.3 % and journalists 54.6 %. The questionnaire was resent twice to the non-respondents of the Finnish population and municipality-based samples, and once for the other two groups.
Collection Mode
Postal survey
Research Instrument
Structured questionnaire
Response Rate
61.40 %
Time Method
Longitudinal: Trend/Repeated cross-section
Collection Size
Data: SPSS portable file. Data available also in other file formats.
Data version
1.1 (2.12.2003)
Other Material
Questionnaire: pdf file in Finnish and in Swedish
Data Appraisal and Notes
In accordance with the source data there are 558 missing data (SYSMIS) for the background variables BV5-BV10.
The sample for the entire Finnish population represents the population in general well as regards the major demographic, social, regional and political factors. Also the municipality-based samples are representative of the population in these municipalities. There are no reference data for teachers/researchers, but the high response rate indirectly implies that the sample is representative. The journalist sample is similar in its structure to other reference data of members of the Association of Finnish Journalists, so it can be regarded as representative of the target group's opinions.
Citation Requirement
The source must be acknowledged in any publication based wholly or in part on the data.
Bibliographical Citation
Kiljunen, Pentti: Energy Attitudes of the Finns 1990 [computer file]. FSD1069, version 1.1 (2003-12-02). Imatran Voima [producer]. Tampere: Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor], 2003.
Depositing Requirements
The archive must be informed of all publications where the data have been used.
Disclaimer
The depositor and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the secondary use of the data.
Related Publications
Kari, Mika & Kojo, Matti & Litmanen, Tapio (2010). Community Divided. Adaptation and Aversion towards the Spent Nuclear Fuel Repository in Eurajoki and its Neighbouring Municipalities. Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä. Tampere: University of Tampere. URN:ISBN:978-951-39-4149-9
Kiljunen, Pentti (1991). Energia-asenteet 1990. Seurantatutkimusaineistoa suomalaisten suhtautumisesta energiapoliittisiin kysymyksiin vuosina 1983-1990. Tampereen yliopisto. Kunnallistieteiden laitoksen suunnittelusarja; 44.
Kojo, Matti, Kari, Mika & Litmanen, Tapio (2012). Nuclear community considering threats and benefits of final disposal. Local opinions regarding the spent nuclear fuel repository in Finland. International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management (IJETM) 15(2),124-145.
