Research on European Social Issues

Volume 1 Issue 1 (2025)

Research article Article ID: 1051

Integrating Microdata, Paradata, Metadata and Administrative Data in Quantitative Social Science Research

Integrating survey microdata with auxiliary sources—such as administrative records, metadata, and paradata—significantly enhances the analytical potential of quantitative social science research. This article examines the methodological frameworks of three major international surveys: the EU Gender-Based Violence (EU-GBV) survey, the European Social Survey (ESS), and the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). By analyzing their approaches to data collection, management, dissemination and integration, we explore how microdata, paradata, metadata, and administrative records are structured, utilized, and aligned with the principles of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and Open Data. Our comparative analysis highlights key differences in data accessibility, interoperability, and technological infrastructure, reflecting variations in methodological design and institutional priorities. Metadata emerges as a crucial element for ensuring data transparency, documentation, and reusability, while paradata plays a vital role in monitoring microdata quality and optimizing fieldwork procedures. Administrative data, in turn, provide valuable macro-level insights that support multi-level analyses and a more comprehensive understanding of complex social phenomena. Furthermore, we discuss the role of research infrastructures and international organizations in fostering standardized frameworks for data integration. By synthesizing these insights, this study contributes to ongoing discussions on best practices for managing and integrating complex datasets in social science research. Ultimately, we argue that strengthening these integration efforts can enhance the comparability, transparency, and efficiency of international survey methodologies.

Research article Article ID: 1290

Cultural Russophobia: Framing of Russian Monument Removal in Ukraine by Russia Today (RT) in 2022

This study analyzes Russia's response to dismantlingresponse to the dismantling of Russian monuments by Ukrainian authorities through media coverage funded by the Russian government, Russia Today (RT), using the framing model. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which started on 24 February 2022, the media provided extensive reporting media produced extensive coverage with various reportsextensive coverage with diverse reports regarding the invasion. The demolition of four Russian monument figuresmonuments of Russian figures is assumed to beis framed as a form of Russophobiais framed as a form of Russophobia by the Ukrainian authorities in several cities: Dnepr, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Zhytomyr. This study employs Semetko and Valkenburg's (2000) framing analysis, which is supported by five forms of framesfive framing categories identified in previous research: conflict, human interest, economic consequence, morality, and responsibility. The data used in this study are from English-based news units owned by Russia Today (RT)English-language news articles published by Russia Today (RT) for the period August 16—December 29, 2022. The results show that Russia Today (RT) actively uses four frames to support the Russian Government in discrediting the Ukrainian Governmentsupport the Russian government’s efforts to discredit the Ukrainian government in eliminating cultural symbols by dismantling Russian monuments.

Research article Article ID: 1555

Empowering Youth in European Civil Society: A Case Study from Türkiye

A vibrant civil society has always been an important precondition for a democratic regime. The European Union (EU) has been one of the main actors in the world, promoting democratic values through various programs, especially in candidate and neighbouring countries. Those programs and the domestic change in the countries promote a Europeanization process. Türkiye has been an EU candidate country since 1999, and ongoing projects have been undertaken to strengthen civil society, which has been an important part of the Copenhagen criteria for full membership. The empowerment of civil society requires the role of youth, since the young people are the main actors in social learning processes. The social inclusion of youth is promoted with an active civil society, which serves the social learning of European norms and values accordingly. The aim of this paper is two-fold: It firstly aims to analyze the impact of Europeanization on the social inclusion of youth and secondly, the contribution of youth to the development of civil society in Türkiye. The paper follows a qualitative study with observation and archival research at Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Business between 2021 and 2024. The study found that social learning at universities, although being a top-down process, can create a more democratic environment at the local level.

Research article Article ID: 1984

A Betrayal of Trust, or a Failure of Process? Responses to a Motorway Proposal in Glasgow, Scotland, 1965–1996

A proposal to build a motorway in Glasgow, Scotland, in the 1970s proved highly controversial. The new road would take a slice of a valued green space in the city, damaging local ecology and amenity, and would widen health inequalities for a disadvantaged local community through pollution and isolation. A lengthy and noisy protest ensued, culminating in the formation of the 'Pollok Free State' in 1995, but it was ultimately unsuccessful. This paper explores the origins and development of the protest movement, drawing attention to the fragility of the alliance created to oppose the motorway, and its shift in ideological position from an initial focus on social justice and favouring more affluent residents, towards environmental degradation instead. It highlights the failure of the established process to address the views of a vulnerable local community adequately, and the frustration that resulted. The National Trust for Scotland, a conservation charity with responsibilities over the land in question, played an important role and faced accusations of 'selling out', which is challenged. It also reveals the deception and duplicity that characterised the approach taken by the lead local authority, and highlights the lasting legacy of the campaign, which lives on long after its failure.

Research article Article ID: 2425

Rethinking European Health Systems: Lessons from the Estonian Model about Physical–Psychological Health

This paper examines Estonia's health system through the lens of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model, analysing how physical and psychological health interact across individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels within the country's sociopolitical, cultural, and digital contexts. It begins by outlining Estonia's historical transition from the Soviet Semashko model to its current Bismarck-type social health insurance system, highlighting the structural and ideological reforms that have shaped contemporary healthcare delivery, and demonstrates how extensive digitalisation, universal coverage, and a strong primary care system have contributed to notable public health achievements, including one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the European Union and high levels of system efficiency. Particular attention is given to Estonia's leadership in digital health innovation, including the implementation of e-Health systems and the X-Road data infrastructure, which have significantly enhanced accessibility, continuity of care, and patient safety. Despite these strengths, the paper identifies persistent challenges such as healthcare workforce shortages, regional disparities in service provision, and the pressures of an ageing population. The paper further argues that psychology remains underintegrated within the healthcare system, advocating for stronger legislative recognition of clinical and health psychologists, increased investment in training and workforce development, and the systematic integration of psychosocial care in chronic disease management, oncology, and geriatric services. Ultimately, the Estonian case illustrates how digitally enabled, preventive, and community-oriented approaches can inform more holistic and sustainable health system reforms in Portugal and other European contexts.