The Values in Crisis Project: A Three-Wave Panel Study in Germany and the United Kingdom

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Sociology
• Crisis Research

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique global disruption.
• Understanding societal and individual value shifts during crises is crucial.
• Existing research on value change during large-scale events is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate moral value changes in Germany and the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To analyze how disruptive events impact individual moral values, personality traits, and social orientations.
• To provide a comprehensive dataset for secondary analyses on pandemic-related societal shifts.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal online panel survey conducted across three waves (April-May 2020, Feb-Mar 2021, Feb-Apr 2022).
• Data collection included experiences with COVID-19, moral values, personality traits, and social orientations.
• Quota sampling was used for initial recruitment, with participant re-contact and new recruitment for later waves in Germany and the UK.

Main Results:

• The study captured data at the onset, midpoint, and towards the end of the pandemic.
• Participant retention rates were documented for each wave and country.
• The dataset allows for detailed examination of value dynamics throughout the crisis.

Conclusions:

• The 'Values in Crisis' project offers valuable longitudinal data on societal responses to a global pandemic.
• This data can inform future research on value change, resilience, and societal adaptation.
• Researchers can utilize this dataset for diverse secondary analyses on the pandemic's impact.