The SOEP group at DIW Berlin introduced the SOEP-IS panel for short-term experiments but also for long-term surveys that are not possible in the core SOEP - for instance, because they require instruments that are not yet well established or that deal with very specific research topics. In addition to Samples E and I from the core SOEP, which were started in 1998 and 2009, respectively, new samples were drawn in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020 and 2023 to achieve the target number of 5,000 respondents. The annual interviews since 2011 have contained not only questions from the core SOEP but also innovative modules, which are selected in a peer-reviewed competition as of the 2013 survey year to identify the “best” research questions. Some of the many topics include earnings, employment, education, health and more.
All existing and upcoming innovative modules are listed on SOEP-IS-Companion.
Title: SOEP Innovation-Sample (SOEP-IS), data from 1998-2024
DOI : 10.5684/soep.is.2024
Collection period: 1998-2024
Publication date: 03/XX/2026
Creators: Carina Cornesse, Martin Gerike, Jan Goebel, Christian Hunkler, Mariel McKone Leonard, Carsten Schröder, Knut Wenzig, Julia Witton, Sabine Zinn
Data collector:
Population: Persons living in private households in Germany
Sampling: All samples of SOEP-IS are multi-stage random samples with regional clustering. In the past, households were selected by random-walk. Since 2023 SOEP-IS uses register-based sampling.
Collection mode: Until 2020, data collection was exclusively conducted via CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing). No data was collected in 2021. In 2022, infas shifted data collection to CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) and CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing) with CAPI only available by request or if the telephone number was missing. Since 2023, the CATI mode was dropped, and the interviews were conducted by CAPI or CAWI. In 2024, CALVI (Computer-Assisted Live Video Interviewing) was also tested once as an additional survey mode. Generally, all household members of age 18 and older within a sampled household are asked to participate in the surveys. In addition, one household member (head of household / anchor person) is asked to complete a household questionnaire covering information on living conditions, housing costs, and different sources of income. This questionnaire also includes some questions about children in the household up to age 16 (until 2022) or 18 (since 2023), for example, their kindergarten or school attendance.
Citation of the Data Set: SOEP Innovation Sample (SOEP-IS), data from 1998-2024. 2026. DOI: 10.5684/soep.is.2024
Publications using this file should refer to the above DOI and cite following reference
David Richter, Jürgen Schupp. 2015. The SOEP Innovation Sample (SOEP IS). Schmollers Jahrbuch 135 (3), 389-399 (doi: 10.3790/schm.135.3.389)
(prepublished 2012: SOEP Innovation Sample (SOEP-IS) - Description, Structure and Documentation.SOEPpaper 463 | PDF, 162.91 KB : Berlin. DIW Berlin)
Whats new in SOEP-IS 2024
General
In the context of the additional survey mode CALVI (“Computer-Assisted Live Video Interviewing”), a dataset of the same name was created, containing several variables that are relevant exclusively for this mode. However, due to the standard embargo on content from innovative modules, valid values for analysis will only be available in the next data release.
Changes to Datasets
SOEP-CMI-ADIAB: Linkage of SOEP-IS data with administrative data of the Institute for Employment Research (IAB)
SOEP-RV: Linkage of SOEP-IS data with administrative data of the German Pension Insurance (FDZ-RV)
Please find all sample specific questionnaires of this year and all questionnaires of previous years on this site
1) Categorizing Open Answers in the DRM Module of SOEP-IS
2) SOEP-IS modules 2011-2018 – Descriptions
All documentation for filtering can be found on this page