The Research Group on Higher Education performs within the framework of the Student Surveys since early 2008 online surveys. There are two reasons for online surveys:
- The ongoing changes in higher education require surveys to reflect current information on the study situation.
- Through online surveys, the formation and development of the European Higher Education Area allow transnational comparisons.
In order to conduct effective online surveys, questionnaires must be short and to the point. Consequently, modules have been constructed that use the Student Survey as a basis. The modules provide information about a range of important topics concerning study situation and orientation of students.
The online surveys are carried out together with DZHW within the frame of the HISBUS Panel. The data are being analysed by the Research Group on Higher Education. Online surveys as an addition to the Student Survey are planned to take place every one-and-a-half year.
First Online Survey 2008
The first online survey on "Internationalisation and the European Higher Education Area" was conducted in February 2008. In addition to 38 items of basic data, the questionnaire included 16 questions and 118 items. Students of the HISBUS Panel and the Convenience Panel of DZHW were included in the survey. The sample comprised 19,398 students of which 9,009 students from 269 higher education institutions participated (response 46.4%).
Second Online-Survey 2011
The second special online-survey took place in March 2010 targeting “Politik and gesellschaftliches Engagement” (Politics and Community Involvement). The survey proposed 18 questions with 108 items and an additional 24 items of basic data. The investigated sample included 10,494 students.
In 2011, the results of the study were summarized in one volume titled "Gesellschaftliche Werte und politische Orientierungen der Studierenden" (Social values and political orientations of the students).