On the Implementation of the Lithuanian Self-Government Law: Presentation of Population Public Opinion Research Methodology
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Abstract
Democratic State Legislator is seeking to assure for citizens possibility to participate actively in local selfgovernment, evaluate actions of local government and services provided by self-government. Purpose of this paper is to present how concrete sociological research methodology based on population survey allows purposefully implement main notions of Lithuanian local self-government law.
Content of survey methodology represents 170 primary items, influencing quality of living environment and reflecting different fields: municipal economy, transport, services and marketing, agriculture, ecology, sanitation and hygiene, leisure activities and sports, regional image, social and political life, communal activities, education and etc. Demographical part of the questionnaire contains questions about respondent’s age, gender, education, employment etc. Survey questionnaire in each section also contains open-ended questions.
Different statistical analysis methods and techniques were applied: Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Normalization, Multidimensional Scaling etc. Factor analysis was chosen as an efficient method of discovering predominant patterns among a large number of variables. This is done essentially through the generation of artificial dimensions (factors) that correlate highly. Factor analysis allowed us to exclude 33 generalized fields; secondary factor analysis allows exclude 10 and constantly 2 fields.
Survey methodology could be successfully applied at the national, municipal or the boroughs (administrative units) level. This methodology allows identifying preferences, interests of local population. Survey methodology also allows conducting multiple studies.
Content of survey methodology represents 170 primary items, influencing quality of living environment and reflecting different fields: municipal economy, transport, services and marketing, agriculture, ecology, sanitation and hygiene, leisure activities and sports, regional image, social and political life, communal activities, education and etc. Demographical part of the questionnaire contains questions about respondent’s age, gender, education, employment etc. Survey questionnaire in each section also contains open-ended questions.
Different statistical analysis methods and techniques were applied: Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Normalization, Multidimensional Scaling etc. Factor analysis was chosen as an efficient method of discovering predominant patterns among a large number of variables. This is done essentially through the generation of artificial dimensions (factors) that correlate highly. Factor analysis allowed us to exclude 33 generalized fields; secondary factor analysis allows exclude 10 and constantly 2 fields.
Survey methodology could be successfully applied at the national, municipal or the boroughs (administrative units) level. This methodology allows identifying preferences, interests of local population. Survey methodology also allows conducting multiple studies.
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