Data bases and statistical systems : International comparative research

In comparative research, obtaining valid and reliable data is more challenging than in most other research techniques in social sciences. Presenting the European Values Study as an example, this article sketches how the field has established comparative databases that increasingly address these challenges. Examples of selected comparative databases at different analytical levels (micro versus macro) and from different source types (academic versus official statistics versus nongovernmental organization) are provided. A brief outlook on remaining and newly arising methodological and organizational issues concludes this article.