Information for participants

You have been asked to take part in the survey? Find more information here.

Tell us what you think!

The participants of our survey are randomly selected. If you have been selected, you will receive all information on how to participate and our questionnaire by post. You can then decide whether to complete the written questionnaire or whether you prefer to take part in the online survey. You will find the required link with your personal access-data in the cover letter of the survey. The online questionnaire is available in five different languages (German, English, Arabic, Turkish and Farsi). You are free to select your preferred language to complete the online survey.

The study Menschen in Deutschland is conducted by the University of Hamburg in cooperation with the field research institute verian. Verian is responsible for contacting you as participants, sending the questionnaires and collecting the completed documents. Following the survey period, verian forwards the collected data anonymously to the team at the University of Hamburg. This way, we can assure you that your answers remain completely anonymous and that responses cannot be traced back to the respondent. The University of Hamburg has no access to your contact details.

FAQ

Who are we and what is the purpose?

The Faculty of Law at the University of Hamburg is responsible for planning and implementing the population survey as part of a larger research network. It is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI). The study Menschen in Deutschland is a scientific survey that captures the diversity of opinions among the population on current social, political and religious topics.

What has verian to do with this study?

Verian conducts the surveys on behalf of the University of Hamburg. Verian, known as Kantar Public until autumn 2023 and TNS Infratest until autumn 2016, conducts surveys of this kind for more than 50 years. The name "Infratest" is best known in Germany from the election coverage on television (ARD).

You may ask "Why me?"

Have you ever wondered how predictions about the outcome of state or federal elections in surveys with only a few respondents are possible? This works because people are selected completely at random to be interviewed on behalf of all people in Germany. Only if all randomly selected people take part, the results can be conclusive for the entire population.

You have been selected as part of 4.000 people across Germany and your opinion represents the opinion of all 68 million adults in Germany. Your participation is voluntary. Opinions can only be tracked via surveys and there are no official statistics. This is why your participation is so important. Therefore, please note that only the person addressed should complete the questionnaire.

How did verian get your name and address?

The Registration Offices ('Einwohnermeldeämter') provided your data, authorised in Section 46 of the Group Information of the Federal Act on Registration (§ 46 Gruppenauskunft des Bundesmeldegesetzes BMG). The University of Hamburg has no access to your name and address. The answers from your questionnaire are forwarded by verian completely anonymously.

What about data protection?

We will certainly comply with all data protection regulations. The privacy statement that you received with your cover letter confirms that there are no commercial interests or obligations associated with this scientific study. Only due to our strict compliance with all data protection regulations, the registration offices are authorized to provide addresses for this scientific study.

Why you receive 5 euros from us

We would like to show our appreciation for your time, because your participation is very important to us. This compensation is not a payment, but a thank you for your support of this important study.

Is it possible to get the results of the survey?

The first results are published on this website under the menu item Findings.