Preparing for Round 12 data collection
National teams are currently preparing to field Round 12 of the European Social Survey (ESS) using a mixed-mode design for the first time.
Countries participating in Round 12 – due to be fielded in late 2025 and early 2026 – will be collecting data using both face-to-face interviewers and self-completion questionnaires.
In each country, a random half of the effective sample will be interviewed in line with previous rounds via in-person interviews, with the other half completing web or paper self-administered questionnaires.
This is only the second time that fieldwork will be conducted using self-completion techniques after nine countries were given special dispensation to use these methods during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mixed-mode design for Round 12 is being implemented to better understand mode effects ahead of a move to only self-completion data collection in Round 13 (2027/28).
This has meant that national teams have been undertaking additional tasks – such as translating questions and documents for multiple modes, revising fieldwork agency specifications and, where national evidence on self-completion approaches is unavailable, preparing for feasibility testing.
Invitations and reminders for the self-completion approach will either be delivered via the post or by fieldworkers (or a combination). Where fieldworkers are used, they will hand-deliver survey materials to sampled addresses to encourage respondents to complete the web or paper questionnaire.
Recent evidence that supports the use of fieldworkers in self-completion data collection was presented at our survey methods webinar: Doorstep interactions to drive data.
More information of the tasks expected by national teams to collect data using both modes is detailed in the Round 12 survey specification.
Professor Rory Fitzgerald, Director of the ESS, said: “Despite the added burden that the mixed-mode design places on our national teams, we are pleased to report that preparations are advancing well in all participating countries.
"Our move to self-completion data collection in Round 13 is probably the single biggest change we have made to the design of the ESS since the first round was fielded. It is therefore vital that we understand mode effects as thoroughly as possible in Round 12.
"Our national teams are rising to the challenge of conducting many additional tasks to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.
"As a result of their incredible efforts, we will be in an excellent position to offer in-depth guidance to our users for comparing data collected in different modes."
Round 12 fieldwork is expected to begin in September 2025 and must be completed by 15 May 2026.
Find out more about our move to self-completion data collection
Find out more about immigration and wellbeing questions being included in Round 12