CCNER-WZB
Berlin, 20 June, 2012
Data Linkages in Cross-National Electoral Research

Call for Papers/Topic:

One of the challenges in cross-national electoral research is the linking of macro and contextual data with individual level survey data. For example linkages can be at the country level, e.g., national competitiveness, or at lower levels of aggregation such as constituency level competitiveness. When linking data sources, this also raises the issues of measurement and of the appropriate unit of analysis. Techniques that take into account problems associated with measurement of variables and the analysis of multi-level data have been developed over the past 10 years. This has aided analysis of large N cross-national data, but which techniques are appropriate and where are questions that consistently face comparative researchers.

The one day workshop will focus on the technical and conceptual issues related to linking data across different levels of analysis and from different units. The workshop will have a strong practical focus on allow researchers to present research and receive feedback from experts working in the area of cross-national electoral research and data linking. We are seeking paper proposals from researchers working in the area of comparative electoral behaviour who link data across units and or levels. For example, linking media content data to survey data or candidate data to data on political party manifestos. The workshop will begin with two expert talks from Bernhard Wessels (WZB) and Natalie Shlomo (Southampton).

Send proposals (500 word abstract) to s.a.banducci@ex.ac.uk by 7 May 2012. Paper presenters will be given a bursary to cover some of the costs associated with attending the event. The workshop will take place at the Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB). For more information about the project see http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/politics/research/projects/ccner/ and for WZB see http://www.wzb.eu/en.