Study title

Every year since 1986, the SOM Institute carries out a nationwide survey, National SOM (Riks-SOM), in which people are asked questions about politics, society, their use of media, public service, the environment, risks, new media technology and their leisure-time activities. Since 1992 a corresponding survey is carried out in Göteborg and its surrounding communities: Western SOM (Väst-SOM). Starting in 1996, a local study, Community SOM (Kom-SOM), is carried out in different municipalities surrounding Göteborg as well as town districts in the city of Göteborg. Thus the results from the SOM surveys shed light on three levels of society: the national, the regional and the municipal. The questionnaire for the 1996 Kom survey was divided into four subject fields: mass media; politics and society; leisure and housing; and background. The 1996 municipal survey was carried out in collaboration with the Gothenburg Region Association of Local Authorities.