Modeling Trends in Aggregate Public Opinion Using Multiple Survey Sources: An Overview of Approaches, Assumptions and Trade-offs

Due to the accumulation of data from cross-national survey projects as well as methodological advancements, data from surveys can be combined to estimate latent trends in mass public opinion. This study analyzes the proposed approaches to modeling trends in public opinion, identifies main conceptual and statistical issues related to applying these models, and proposes ways to address them in substantive research.