Pilot survey

The Growing Up In Digital Europe (GUIDE) / EuroCohort survey will be Europe’s first comparative birth cohort survey on child well-being. It will be an important source of high quality longitudinal statistical evidence to support the development of social policies which will enhance the wellbeing of children, young people and their families across Europe for many years to come. It will take place by 2027. 

To test the feasibility and acceptability of the GUIDE/EuroCohort survey, a pilot study was launched in 2023, in the 4 countries that have already participated in the tests of the questionnaires (Croatia, Finland, France, Ireland), as well as Slovenia.

The French component is carried out by the French Institute for Demographic Studies (INED), a public research organisation specialised in the study of populations, a partner of the academic world and of research at the national and international levels.

 

Why make a pilot survey?

This pilot survey allowed us to test the feasibility of the study, at the national and European levels, but also to validate the different field tools:

  • have the survey questionnaires been properly translated from English and are they understandable to parents and children? Are the questions appropriate for children?
  • are the consent forms to participate in the survey clear enough for respondents?
  • is the tool that allows interviewers to enter respondents’ answers on a computer intuitive and efficient enough?

This pilot survey allowed us to answer all these questions, and thus to adapt and improve the different phases of the real survey. Valuable lessons will be learned at the logistical, organisational and scientific levels.

How this pilot survey was conducted?

WHEN?

Between March and May 2023

WHO?

  • 230 children aged 8
  • 230 parents of 8 year olds
  • 203 parents of children under one year old

HOW?

  • 51 trained interviewers made contact with the parents and children who volunteer to answer a questionnaire. The interviewer recorded the answers on a computer and at the end of the interview, parents were invited, if they wished, to answer a few questions themselves, directly on the computer. The interview last approximately 1 hour for parents and 30 minutes for children.
  • The interviewers are professionals who are used to conducting face-to-face interviews and who regularly work with research institutes such as INED.

AND THEN?

  • An ID number has been issued to guarantee the anonymity of parents and children, and access to this data. The answers to the questions are kept in a secure location. In accordance with the regulations in force, it is possible to access, rectify or complete the data, request the deletion of the data, request the limitation of the processing, oppose the processing and withdraw a consent.
    You can exercise these rights by contacting dpd@ined.fr
  • The results of this pilot survey will provide us with many insights to launch the real survey.
  • If you would like more information about this survey, you can contact the research team.

 

Thank you for your participation!