Study title

Political Orientation of Students of Tampere University of Applied Sciences 2017

Dataset ID Number

FSD3173

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3173

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Bäck, Maria (University of Tampere. Faculty of Management)
• Kuha, Susanne (University of Tampere. Faculty of Management)
• Kurunsaari, Anni (University of Tampere. Faculty of Management)
• Mattinen, Laura (University of Tampere. Faculty of Management)
• Peltoniemi, Johanna (University of Tampere. Faculty of Management)
• Sandroos, Lotta (University of Tampere. Faculty of Management)
• Simi, Antti (University of Tampere. Faculty of Management)
• Sipinen, Josefina (University of Tampere. Faculty of Management)
• Tiihonen, Aino (University of Tampere. Faculty of Management)
• Tomperi, Tuuli (University of Tampere. Faculty of Management)

Abstract

The main theme of this study was political orientation. The data were gathered as part of SUUNTA, a research project carried out by students within the degree programme in politics at the University of Tampere. The study charted political behaviour and attitudes among students of Tampere University of Applied Sciences.

Firstly, the presence of political matters in the respondents' daily lives and their interest in politics on a general level were charted. The participants were asked about societal matters and how often they were discussed at home, at school, with friends, with family, and in social media. The respondents' experiences of working life, unions and their socio-economic class were also surveyed. The remainder of the survey, however, focused more on the political views of the respondents. The students were asked to place themselves on the left-right political spectrum and to state their possible party preferences.

The respondents' opinions on a variety of political statements were also examined. The statements concerned, among other things, the following subjects: free higher education, taxation, same-sex marriages, multiculturalism, healthcare, abortion, and the environment. The respondents were asked to evaluate their knowledge about societal matters and their involvement in society and politics, e.g. by participating in demonstrations or contacting political decision-makers. The participants also evaluated how their parents, partners, friends, schools and workplaces have affected their political stances. Moreover, the survey examined the respondents' trust in political institutions and other people. Finally, the study surveyed the students' satisfaction in Finland's economic and democratic situation.

Background variables included faculty, educational background, work experience, age, gender, type of housing, type of neighbourhood, marital status, and religious affiliation.

Keywords

fields of study; higher education institutions; occupational choice; political action; political attitudes; political behaviour; political participation; trust

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Political behaviour and attitudes (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Higher and further education (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• University of Tampere. Faculty of Management

Time Period Covered

2017

Collection Dates

2017-04-03 – 2017-04-09

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland, Tampere

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Students of Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

The data were gathered with the use of an elecronic survey that was shared on the intranet of Tampere University of Applied Sciences. Participation in the survey was voluntary. The survey received 448 responses.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

Variables concerning the respondents' study history were removed. In addition, two open-ended questions were removed because no one had answered them.

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Bäck, Maria (University of Tampere) & Kuha, Susanne (University of Tampere) & Kurunsaari, Anni (University of Tampere) & Mattinen, Laura (University of Tampere) & Peltoniemi, Johanna (University of Tampere) & Sandroos, Lotta (University of Tampere) & Simi, Antti (University of Tampere) & Sipinen, Josefina (University of Tampere) & Tiihonen, Aino (University of Tampere) & Tomperi, Tuuli (University of Tampere): Political Orientation of Students of Tampere University of Applied Sciences 2017 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2017-06-14). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3173

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

FSD has not been informed of any publications related to the data.