johang
May 7, 2011, 9:42 AM
Post #3 of 11
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Re: [La Isla] Mexicans Happy – Despite Low Incomes
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Thanks for asking La Isla. Fortunately the OECD is very thorough about defining the data they publish. Their definition for this particular metric reads as follows:
Definition and measurement
Data on positive and negative experiences are drawn from the Gallup World Poll. The Gallup World Poll is conducted in over 140 countries around the world based on a common questionnaire, translated into the predominant languages of each country. With few exceptions, all samples are probability based and nationally representative of the resident population aged 15 years and over in the entire country, including rural areas. While this ensures a high degree of comparability across countries, results may be affected by sampling and non-sampling error. Sample sizes vary between around 1 000 and 4 000, depending on the country. The "positive experience index" is a measure of respondents' experienced well-being on the day before the survey in terms of feeling well-rested, being treated with respect all day, smiling or laughing a lot, learning or doing something interesting, and experiencing enjoyment. The "negative experience index" is a measure of respondents' experienced well-being on the day before the survey in terms of physical pain, worry, sadness, stress and depression. Positive and negative experiences are likely to be less influenced by country-specific cultural factors than is life satisfaction. EQLS data comes from Anderson et al. (2009).
They also comment on the validity of the measure saying:
Two checks suggest the data is meaningful. Because the data asked people their previous day experiences, such aggregate data may simply provide fast changing perceptions experienced only on the day of the survey. Alternatively the sample sizes could be too small to provide any precision. There was a strong relationship between Positive Experiences and the 2007 European Quality of Life Survey positive mental health index. As these surveys were different samples, on different days, with different questions, the strong relationship at a country level provides reassurance of data validity. Countries where positive experiences were high one year also tended to be high in the next survey. Again, this strong relationship shows that the data are not just random sample error or fickle swings of day-to-day mood at a country level.
Those two comments are the most pertinent to your question but there is a bit more detail.
Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.
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