European Working Conditions Survey 2024: Quality assurance report

Eurofound places a strong emphasis on quality and aims for precision of estimates for the European Union as a whole, as well as for individual Member States. With its wide geographical coverage and numerous waves, EWCS data enables comparisons across countries and over time. Therefore, quality assurance focuses on consistency in survey implementation and methodology across each wave of the EWCS as well as comparability across countries. 

For the EWCS 2024, Eurofound applied state-of-the-art practices in cross-cultural survey methodology. A rigorous quality framework was applied across all stages of the survey. Quality assurance was grounded in the European Social Survey quality indicators(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab, cross‑cultural survey guidelines(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab and the Total Survey Error framework(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab. Each stage of the survey was carefully planned, closely monitored and documented, and specific controls were put in place building on recommendations outlined in reports from previous surveys, as well as Eurofound’s experiences of other surveys. Quality control mechanisms were applied to ensure quality in terms of relevance, accuracy, timeliness and punctuality, accessibility and clarity, and coherence and comparability.  

At the start of the preparation phase, the contractor and Eurofound established a comprehensive Quality Assurance Plan which included 190 indicators covering sampling, questionnaire design, fieldwork, data processing and ethics. Each stage was documented in detail to promote transparency and to be able to draw lessons for future reference.  

The Quality Control report, compiled by the contractor, provides a summary of the quality control activities performed before, during and after the fieldwork. The report provides an objective quality assessment of the outputs and processes against the Quality Assurance Framework. It also provides a critical reflection on the quality indicators and targets as identified in the Quality Control Plan. 

As a further measure, Eurofound contracted an independent third party to assess the survey quality in relation to comparable surveys and international standards, such as the quality criteria outlined in the European Statistical System(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab, and to provide suggestions for improvement for future waves of the EWCS. The external Survey Quality Assessment report, which will be published shortly, concludes that the quality of the EWCS 2024 is very high, compared to similar surveys and complies with international quality standards.  

Annexes