The 1990-questionnaire was designed by the Steering Committee, in close consultation with national research teams and representatives of fieldwork agencies. In 1989 the questionnaire was first piloted in Great Britain, Spain, Germany, France and US. The results were discussed in the Steering Committee. After this, the final 1990-questionnaire was produced in English language and translated in the national languages.

In all countries the same questionnaire was administered to respondents in personal interviews. Surveys were conducted by national field work agencies. National samples were drawn from the population of adult citizens over 18 years of age. In some countries, random sampling was applied, in others quota sampling. The samples were weighted to correct for gender and age. The Italian 1990 sample was weighted additionally to correct for level of education. More information on the 1990 survey and a comparison with the 1981 survey can be found here.