Client: European Research Infrastructure Consortium” (SHARE-ERIC) – Max Planck Institute

The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement (SHARE) in Europe is a multidisciplinary and cross-national panel database of micro data on health, socio-economic status and social and family networks of approximately 140,000 individuals (more than 380,000 interviews) from 28 European countries (along with Israel) aged 50 or older. As the largest pan-European social science panel study providing internationally comparable longitudinal micro data, SHARE serves as the foundation of empirical research on ageing – harmonized across countries – for many disciplines including demography, economics, epidemiology, gerontology, biology, medicine, psychology, public health, health policy, sociology and statistics. 

• Pre-test: Kapa Research rigorously tested the questionnaire for issues such as question routing, wording, translation, and CAPI software functionality. This evaluation, conducted between March and June 2021, included both CAPI and COVID-19 CATI surveys.
  
• Recruitment & Training: Kapa participated in an online “train-the-trainer” program with the SHARE Coordination team, translating manuals into Greek and conducting training sessions for over 150 interviewers. Retaining 90% of SHARE wave 9 interviewers ensured continuity.
  
• Sampling & Eligibility: Working closely with the SHARE Coordination team, Kapa ensured accuracy in household/respondent matching and sample completeness. Final preload files were provided for the 9th wave.
  
• Contact, Fieldwork, Quality Control: Kapa deployed experienced field supervisors to oversee interviewers and maintain data quality. Advance letters were mailed to eligible respondents, and IT preparations were managed collaboratively. Quality control measures, including verifying completed interviews and documenting back-checking efforts, were implemented. Regular data deliveries facilitated ongoing project monitoring.