The study introduced in this press release is the 1998 part of the follow-up study called ‘Energy attitudes of the Finns’. This study series has followed up attitudes towards questions concerning energy policy for sixteen years (1983-1998). The extensive and comparable materials of this project enable detailed empirical analysis and systematic follow-up of citizens’ opinions.

The results received this time are based on answers of 1,713 addressees. Of these people, 1,172 represent the whole Finnish population, and the rest (541 people) represent the population of the specific municipalities of this study (Loviisa, Eurajoki, Kuhmo and Äänekoski). In the time series studies concerning the entire follow-up period, the total number of respondents is 23,968.

The data was collected in the form of written queries in the period 15 October – 30 December 1998, and it represents the population between the ages of 18 and 70 as far as the central demographic, social and economic, and regional factors are concerned. The study was carried out in two languages, i.e. the addressees received the questionnaire either in Finnish or in Swedish, according to their mother tongue. The error margin of the results (depending on the form of the distribution to be studied) is 2-3 percentage points to both directions. In the results by municipalities the margin is 5-8 percentage points.

The study was carried out by Yhdyskuntatutkimus Oy and it was assigned by Imatran Voima Oy (IVO) and Teollisuuden Voima Oy (TVO) together. Finnish Energy Industries Federation (FINERGY), the co-operation organ of the energy sector, publishes the study results.

The study series was started at the University of Tampere in 1983, and it was financed by IVO at first and from 1994 by IVO and TVO. The results of this study have been published in eleven university reports (the most recent report published at the University of Tampere: Kiljunen, Pentti: Energia-asenteet 1991 (Energy attitudes 1991). University of Tampere. Department of Local Government Studies. Design series 47. Tampere 1992) and after this in several other publications and press releases (reports published byYhdyskuntatutkimus Oy, for example). The results of the follow-up study have been introduced in an article and summary text surveying the development of the Finnish opinion climate (Suhonen, Pertti: Yleinen mielipide (Public opinion). Helsinki 1997, for example).