Latest research on academic impact published

The latest monitoring of academic articles has revealed that 6,585 publications have included significant analysis of European Social Survey (ESS) data (2003-22). 

This comprises any type of academic publication in the English language, including journal articles, books, book chapters, published conference materials, research papers, reports, or theses. 

These publications can be on any survey methods or substantive topic, but they must incorporate at least one ESS item that is used in primary analysis.

Out of the 6,585 publications, 87.9% (5,790) are substantive, while 12.1% (795) are methodological. 

A bibliographic assessment of ESS-based publications using Google Scholar is undertaken annually by the University of Ljubljana - part of our Core Scientific Team. 

Compared to the previous iteration of the report covering 2003-21, a further 619 new publications were identified, with the majority (541) being published in 2022. Of these 541 articles, 387 were published in peer-reviewed journals. 

ESS-based analyses were found to be most frequently observed in six scholarly fields: sociology (32.2%); political science (22.5%); economy (13.8%); health and medicine (6.1%); psychology, and methods (both 5.3%).

In terms of research topics most frequently investigated by authors using ESS data, politics remains the most explored subject in the academic literature - with 23.7% of all ESS publications. 

The most frequently referenced subjects within politics include political parties, political trust, political elites, political culture, political responsiveness, and political efficacy. 

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in studies focusing on (right-wing) political populism and the determinants of its support. Other explored topics include immigration (14.2% of all publications); welfare and public policies (10.7%); employment and the labour market (9.3%); and the economy (9%). 

Analysis of the number of publications (co)authored by at least one author affiliated in a country. The leading countries on this measure are the United Kingdom (975); Germany (865); United States (721); The Netherlands (636); and Spain (435). 

The report also focuses on which countries are included in the analysis, and detailed information about the most popular questionnaire items.

The final report is supplemented with two appendices. The bibliography includes reference information for all 6,585 publications. The item usage report highlights the number of times data from each ESS question has been analysed.

View the new report and appendices in our Impact section