The infas Panel
The infas panel is based on an access panel based on an ADM random sample that meets the highest scientific standards. With more than 15,000 participants and various methodological approaches, the infas panel offers all the prerequisites for an efficient realization of an empirical social science study at the highest level.
The infas panel is a transparent and precise survey instrument for answering scientific questions in a way that is representative of the population. It can be used for telephone, written or online surveys. Every month, 1,000 German citizens aged 18 and older are surveyed. In addition, comprehensive, independent ad hoc surveys can be conducted on the basis of the panel sample, for example in special population groups or regions.
Reliable data for your research project
infas has been setting up an Access Panel since 2016. Participants are recruited by telephone on the basis of a probability sample (ADM sample, dual frame) following a social science study. Every month, around 1,000 people aged 18 and over in Germany are contacted for this purpose. The infas panel can be used in two ways: First, questions can be included in the monthly survey. This procedure is suitable for the survey of a few questions or for a longitudinal or trend survey. Second, we offer ad hoc studies based on a random sample within the panel. This procedure is suitable for more comprehensive surveys or for studying a special sub-target group within the population.
Both variants offer clear advantages:
While in many other access panels the participant recruitment is self-selective and quota samples are used, the infas panel is based on a probability sample.
- Certain prevalence can be determined in advance and screening interviews can be omitted.
- Due to the sample, the data are suitable for reliable extrapolations to the population.
- Within the infas panel, pretests, prevalence and other preliminary studies can be conducted.
infas realizes the infas panel with the same care and accuracy and with the same quality standards as numerous baseline studies conducted by the institute.
As a result, you get accurate, representative data with a transparent origin story, complete population coverage and high respondent motivation.
| infas-Panel | Ad-hoc | |
| Number of cases | 1.000/month | any |
| Sample | ADM telephone sample dual frame | Panelists based on ADM sample dual frame. |
| Field period | first to last day of the month | any |
| supplied sociodemographics | Age, gender, marital status, household, children, education, occupational status, migration background, religious affiliation, household income. | Age, gender, marital status, household, children, education, occupational status, migration background, religious affiliation, household income. |
| Questionnaire delivery | at least 5 working days before the start of the field | at least 8 working days before the start of the field |
| Data delivery | no later than 5 working days after the end of the field | 8 working days after the end of the field at the latest |
| Data format | Stata, SPSS, Excel | Stata, SPSS, Excel |
| Options | Questionnaire development, tables, charts, multivariate analyses, feed of regional data | Questionnaire development, tables, charts, multivariate analyses, feed of regional data |
| Prices | on request | on request |
The infas panel comprises around 15,000 people in Germany aged 18 and over who were asked to participate in a survey via ADM random sampling. Recruitment surveys are conducted monthly with 1,000 cases dual-frame (mobile and fixed network), so the panel is growing continuously.
The infas panel is used almost exclusively for studies on social science or political topics that interest people. As a result, the commitment of panel participants is very high. Utilization rates of 60 percent and more are not unusual.
The infas panel is based on a telephone survey, but is suitable for use with other survey methods – even in combination. Non-coverage problems, such as the problem of excluding infrequent or non-users of the Internet in online surveys, can thus be corrected. The infas Blended Calibration instrument also allows the number of cases to be expanded if necessary.
When recruiting new participants, sociodemographics are recorded and regularly updated. It goes far beyond the usual key data of age, gender, marital status, educational attainment, and so on. We know the migration background up to the second generation, the industry in which someone works or has worked according to ISCO classification or, for example, religious affiliation and practice, and can select in advance.
