Research Focus Areas at the Chair of Prof. Davidov

Research at the chair of Prof. Dr. Eldad Davidov concentrates on three main areas:

1. Methods to analyze cross-cultural data
2. methods to analyze longitudinal data
3. theory-driven applications in substantive areas of research such as comparative value research, explanations of attitudes toward immigrants and other minorities, and other areas (see Prof. Davidov's webpage).

The first research area encompasses studying the necessary empirical conditions for comparability of theoretical concepts across cultural units. Generalized latent variable modeling provides different methods to assess whether and to what extent measurements of theoretical concepts are comparable across different cultural units. Barriers such as cultural differences, different languages, and different uses of the measurement scale or even different methods of data collection may prevent meaningful comparisons. Thus, the comparability of various scales across different contextual units is assessed and conclusions are drawn with respect to the reasons for differences and the usefulness of the measurements for comparative research.

The second research area covers the use and further development of methods to analyze longitudinal data. Here two aspects are of particular interest. First, the conditions of comparability required for cross-cultural research are also necessary for longitudinal research, since the meaning of concepts may change and a culture may develop over time. Second, methods to analyze longitudinal data may allow, under certain conditions, the examination of causality between theoretical concepts and the investigation of development and change over time, thus providing explanations for them.

Substantive empirical research requires first a systematic investigation of the measurement properties of the theoretical constructs of interest, their validity and reliability across different contexts. Currently, one of the main substantive applications is the value concept and its relations with other theoretical constructs. Values are central for the explanation of different attitudes, opinions, and behavior. Mechanisms between values, attitudes toward immigrants and other minorities, sociodemographic variables, or national/European identity as well as contextual factors like economic conditions, state policies, or media coverage are formulated and empirically tested drawing on relevant theories within and across contexts.

In general, many but not all of the empirical analyses are based on secondary data analyses.

For further information, please visit the web pages of Prof. Davidov