When compared to research on the family and the school, the study of peer groups within the context of political socialization is a relatively neglected area. Somewhat more concern for peer-group effects has been indicated by non-political social scientists, especially social psychologists. But even though some of their work is suggestive, its application is often marginal for explaining political attitudes. Just as the existing theory on peer-group political socialization is weak, so are the existing data and analysis. The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature and extent of peer-group socialization among German students. This analysis is based on a survey of student attitudes at the University of Cologne. The survey is a random sample of 855 respondents and was carried out in 1968.

The construction of national survey samples in Canada involves a number of theoretical and practical problems that range well beyond purely statistical considerations. Sample sizes for instance will tend to be large in comparison with those employed in many other nations not for greater accuracy but primarily because of the sheer diversity and geographical dispersion of the Canadian population. Likewise, the high cost of survey research at the national level in Canada virtually dictates that substantial efforts be made to achieve an “optimum” design for any single study. The purpose of this note therefore is to outline in brief the several considerations which underlay the design of a national sample for the post-election survey which will be carried out under our direction following the federal election of July 1974. It is offered as a commentary on the steps that were taken to provide a sample design consistent with the research focus of the project. The design has a number of important implications for both primary and secondary analysis of what will be the third national election study to be carried out in Canada. Each of these studies has followed particular theoretical interests, in all cases having important implications for potential use of the data set by other analysts.

The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism sponsored 165 research studies, which were carried out in the years 1964–7. Of these, 24 were published by the Commission and distributed widely through the services of Information Canada. Publication proceeded in two series: “Research Studies of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism,” and “Research Documents of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism.” The first series was comprised of studies which it was considered should be available in both official languages. The second series included studies judged to be of more specialized interest; these were published in the language of the author. Both series, listed in order of publication and by author and title, are set out in Table i.