World of Opinions for Polls conducted this survey in cooperation with NORC at the University of Chicago (National Opinion Research Center). NORC is one of the world’s most renowned research centers specializing in public opinion polls and social research. It is an international reference in survey design and public opinion trends measurement. Founded in 1941 and moved to the University of Chicago in 1947, NORC is recognized as a global pioneer in developing social survey methodologies, having executed hundreds of national and international studies. Among its most prominent projects are:
- The General Social Survey (GSS): One of the most critical social databases globally, widely utilized across social sciences.
- The US Participation in the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP).
- Broad National Studies in the fields of health, education, and social and political trends.
The study relied on the field social survey methodology within the framework of the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP). It targeted male and female Jordanian citizens aged 18 and older residing in family households across all governorates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The study was designed to ensure the representation of various geographic regions and target demographics, allowing for results that accurately and reliably reflect the trends and opinions of Jordanian society.
The sample selection process was based on the sampling frame approved by the Jordanian Department of Statistics (DoS). A sample consisting of 146 statistical blocks distributed across all governorates of the Kingdom was provided. Ten households were selected from each statistical block, achieving a target sample size of 1,460 respondents. This number exceeds the required study sample size by 60 respondents to enhance statistical accuracy and compensate for any potential shortfalls in completed responses.
Prior to launching the fieldwork, a pre-test of the questionnaire was conducted by the center’s management and the supervising advisory team from September 1, 2018, to September 25, 2018. This pre-test contributed to reviewing and refining the phrasing of questions, estimating the time required for field interviews, and identifying several technical and methodological observations. These observations were subsequently incorporated into the training program for field researchers to standardize field implementation procedures and elevate the quality of collected data.
Researchers underwent a series of training programs and meetings aimed at standardizing their understanding of the study’s concepts, questionnaire implementation mechanisms, respondent selection rules, and fieldwork procedures. These programs included successive training sessions held in the Central Region, followed by the Northern and Southern Regions, ensuring the readiness of all researchers before data collection commenced in their respective areas.
The study utilized face-to-face personal interviews with respondents for data collection, using a standardized questionnaire prepared by the project sponsor, which was then translated and adapted to suit the Jordanian context. After securing the necessary official approvals, the questionnaire was programmed electronically onto tablets. Data was entered directly during the field interviews, which enhanced data collection efficiency, minimized errors, and improved the quality of daily auditing and follow-up processes.
Data collection was executed in several consecutive phases:
- Phase One: Commenced in Balqa Governorate from September 29, 2018, to October 17, 2018.
- Phase Two: Expanded to include the capital, Amman, as well as Zarqa, Madaba, and Jerash governorates, utilized by the same researchers.
- Phase Three: Additional researchers from the northern and southern governorates were onboarded to complete the coverage of the remaining governorates. The northern team included 13 researchers, while the southern team comprised 14 researchers.
Consequently, the preparation, testing, training, and data collection phases spanned several months. The process began with recruiting researchers in August 2018, followed by pre-testing and researcher training during September and October, and concluded with the completion of fieldwork and data collection across the Kingdom’s governorates during October and November 2018. This comprehensive timeline yielded a rigorous national database characterized by a high degree of quality and statistical representation.
For more information about the 2018 International Social Survey, click [here].
