Hovedundersøgelsen

Hovedundersøgelsen is a Danish term used in research and statistics to denote the main study or primary data collection phase within a project. It is designed to answer the central research questions and typically involves the principal sampling, measurement instruments, and data collection procedures. The term may be contrasted with supplementary or follow-up studies conducted as part of the same project. In many contexts, the hovedundersøgelsen yields the core dataset and primary indicators, with results subjected to standard quality assurance, weighting to adjust for the sampling design and non-response, and various sensitivity analyses.

The design of the hovedundersøgelsen includes defining the target population, sampling frame, sampling method, data collection mode (such as interviews, questionnaires, or administrative registers), variables to be measured, timing of data collection, and planned analyses. It may be preceded by a pilot or pretest and followed by follow-up surveys to track trends or assess longer-term outcomes. In official statistics, the term marks the central data collection operation, while ancillary components provide context, validation, or complementary information.

Despite variation across fields, the core idea remains: the hovedundersøgelsen is the central, defining study whose data drive the main conclusions of a project, with careful attention to design, ethics, and reproducibility. It serves as the primary source for reporting and policy-relevant insights, while additional components support robustness and breadth of understanding.