Population ecology and European interest groups over time: a data set

Abstract:

Studying interest groups in the European Union (EU) over time has proven difficult because of the lack of the critical data necessary for studying changes in interest group population dynamics and behaviour. In this article, I explain how data has been gathered, coded, and combined to create a data set worthy of population ecology studies vis-à-vis interest groups in the EU. I provide details of both the data-mining experience and some of the theoretical bases for coding decisions. In addition, I explain what new contributions this data set makes to the established data sets in the field and offer ways in which it enhances the potential for more valid research in the future while also discussing its shortcomings and possible methods of improvement.