The Polish Panel Survey POLPAN is an academic sociological research project initiated in 1988. The project uses data collected during individual interviews conducted every 5 years on a representative sample of adult Poles. Questionnaire used in the study covers a wide range of topics including occupational carriers, educational attainment, relationship between private and professional spheres, perception of the sources of success in life, views on the role of state and economic changes, perception of social conflicts, political attitudes and behaviors, physical and mental well-being and many other issues related to the processes of adaptation to systemic change in Poland.
In 2013 2196 respondents participated in the survey. 1699 of them had taken part in the previous waves of the study and 497 respondents represent a young cohort – people aged 21-25. As a result of interviews conducted in each wave of the survey extensive data sets have been collected. A complete dataset – containing information gathered in all waves: 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013– has been prepared for statistical analyses. To maintain representativeness of the samples for consecutive periods, we use weights to account for proportional participation of particular age groups in the sample, adequately to the actual – past or present – situation in Poland.
POLPAN is a comprehensive study reflecting changes in social situation in Poland and a research project providing rich data on issues related to the social structure, individuals’ place in this structure and changes in their lives over the past 25 years.
The project is carried out at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, by a research team headed by Prof. Kazimierz M. Slomczynski. Currently the study is financed by [Polish] National Science Center.