SELDI 2014 CMS – instructions,
results, comments
Contents
Classical indices ..................................................................................................................................... 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
ATTITUDES TOWARDS CORRUPTION ................................................................................... 2
1.1.
Acceptability in Principle ................................................................................................... 2
1.2.
Susceptibility to corruption ............................................................................................... 3
INVOLVEMENT IN CORRUPT PRACTICES.............................................................................. 5
2.1.
Corruption pressure ........................................................................................................... 5
2.2.
Involvement in corrupt practices ..................................................................................... 6
ASSESSMENT OF THE SPREAD OF CORRUPTION................................................................ 6
3.1.
Spread of corruption .......................................................................................................... 6
3.2.
Practical efficiency of corruption...................................................................................... 7
CORRUPTION EXPECTATIONS ................................................................................................ 8
New indices ............................................................................................................................................ 9
1.
Identification (awareness) of corruption ............................................................................... 9
2.
Level of corruptness of the environment ............................................................................. 10
3.
Susceptibility to corruption .................................................................................................... 11
4.
Tolerance of corruption practices (Acceptability) ............................................................... 11
5.
Corruption pressure ................................................................................................................ 12
6.
Involvement in corruption transactions ............................................................................... 13
THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views
of the European Commission
© Center for the Study of Democracy
The original (classical) Corruption Monitoring System of the Center for the Study of
Democracy and Vitosha Research features four pairs of indices, which measure attitudes,
involvement, assessments, and expectations. These are called classical indices.
For the needs of SELDI CSD has developed a simpler model of indices, which demonstrate
the corruption and anti-corruption environment in a country through monitoring the share of
the population, who had experience with corruption. These are called new indices. They do
not substitute for the classical ones but rather add to the richness of the information
provided.
It is recommended that the source of the statistical data form the current survey, presented
in further analyses, reads:
Source: SELDI/CSD Corruption Monitoring System, 2014.
Classical indices
1. ATTITUDES TOWARDS CORRUPTION
1.1.
Acceptability in Principle
This index reflects the extent to which corrupt practices or corruption are tolerated
within the value system of the society.
This index is a function of questions (a9a, a9b, a9c, a9d, a10a, a10b, a10c, a10d), where
the value codes are recoded as follows:
Original
value
1
2
3
4
9
Label
Acceptable
Rather acceptable
Rather unacceptable
Unacceptable
Don't know/No answer
Recoded (final) value
(a9ar…)
10
6.6666666
3.3333333
0
System missing
An average of the recoded values for all 8 questions is computed, thus the final index ranges
from the lowest 0 (unacceptable) to the highest possible 10 (acceptable).
i1 = (a9ar + a9br + a9cr + a9dr + a10ar + a10br + a10cr + a10dr)/8
2
A9.
ACCORDING TO YOU, ARE THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES ACCEPTABLE, IF PERFORMED BY
MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT OR THE GOVERNMENT?
One answer on each line.
1
2
3
4
Acceptable
Rather acceptable
Rather unacceptable
Unacceptable
9
A9A
A9B
A9C
A9D
To accept an invitation for a free lunch/dinner
to solve personal problems
To resolve a personal problem and accept a
favor in exchange
To accept gifts for the solution of personal
problems
To accept cash for the solution of personal
problems
Don't know/No answer
1
2
3
4
9
1
2
3
4
9
1
2
3
4
9
1
2
3
4
9
A10. ACCORDING TO YOU, ARE THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES ACCEPTABLE, IF PERFORMED BY
OFFICIALS AT MINISTRIES, MUNICIPALITIES AND MAYORALTIES?
One answer on each line.
1
2
3
4
Acceptable
Rather acceptable
Rather unacceptable
Unacceptable
9
Don't know/No answer
A10A
To accept an invitation for a free lunch/dinner
to solve personal problems
1
2
3
4
9
A10B
To resolve a personal problem and accept a
favor in exchange
1
2
3
4
9
A10C
To accept gifts for the solution of personal
problems
1
2
3
4
9
A10D
To accept cash for the solution of personal
problems
1
2
3
4
9
1.2.
Susceptibility to corruption
This index measures citizens’ inclination to compromise on their values under the
pressure of circumstances, i.e. when faced with real life situations, which require
3
taking a decision on whether to use corruption or not knowing that there will be
immediate consequences for the decision-taker.
This index is a function of questions (a8, a15), where the value codes are recoded as
follows:
Original
value
1
2
Label
I would accept/pay
I would accept/pay,
if..
I would not
accept/pay, if…
I would not
accept/pay
3
4
9
Recoded (final) value
(a8r, a15r)
10
6.6666666
3.3333333
0
Don't know/No answer System missing
An average of the recoded values for the 2 questions is computed, thus the final index
ranges from the lowest 0 (I would not accept/pay) to the highest possible 10 (I would
accept/pay).
i2 (Susceptibility to corruption) = (a8r + a15r)/2
A8.
IMAGINE YOURSELF IN AN OFFICIAL LOW-PAID POSITION AND YOU ARE APPROACHED BY
SOMEONE OFFERING CASH, GIFT OR FAVOR TO SOLVE HIS/HER PROBLEM. WHAT WOULD YOU
DO:
One answer only.
1
2
3
4
I would accept - everyone does that.
I would accept, if I can solve his problem
I would not accept, if the solution to the problem is related with law
evasion
I would not accept, I do not approve of such acts
9
Don't know/No answer
A15. IF YOU HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM AND AN OFFICIAL DIRECTLY DEMANDED CASH TO SOLVE IT,
WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?
One answer only.
1
2
3
4
9
I
I
I
I
would
would
would
would
pay by all means
pay if I can afford
not pay if I had another way to solve the problem
not pay by any means
Don't know/No answer
4
2. INVOLVEMENT IN CORRUPT PRACTICES
2.1.
Corruption pressure
This index measures the incidence of attempts by public officials to exert direct or
indirect pressure on citizens in order to obtain money, gifts, or favors.
This index is a function of questions (a12a, a12b), where the value codes are recoded as
follows:
Original
value
1
2
3
4
8
9
Label
In all cases
In most of the cases
In isolated cases
In no cases
No contact in the last
year
Don't know/No answer
Recoded (final) value
(a12ar, a12br)
10
6.6666666
3.3333333
0
System missing
System missing
An average of the recoded values for the 2 questions is computed, thus the final index
ranges from the lowest 0 (no cases of corruption pressure in all contacts with public
administration or no contact with the public administration) to the highest possible 10
(corruption pressure in all cases of contact with the public administration).
i3 (Corruption pressure) = (a12ar + a12br)/2
A12. WHENEVER YOU HAVE CONTACTED OFFICIALS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, HOW OFTEN IN THE
LAST YEAR THEY HAVE:
One answer on each line.
1
2
3
4
8
9
A12A
A12B
In all cases
In most of the cases
In isolated cases
In no cases
No contact in the last
year
Don't know/No answer
Directly demanded cash, gift or favor
Not demanded directly, but showed
that they expected cash, gift or favor
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
8
8
9
9
5
2.2.
Involvement in corrupt practices
The index reflects the self-assessed involvement of the respondents in various forms
of corrupt behavior (bribery).
This index is a function of questions (a13a, a13b, a13c), where the value codes are recoded
as follows:
Original
value
1
2
3
4
(not asked
if)
9
Label
In all cases
In most of the cases
In isolated cases
In no cases
No contact in the last
year
Don't know/No answer
Recoded (final) value
(a13ar, a13br, a13cr)
10
6.6666666
3.3333333
0
System missing
System missing
An average of the recoded values for the 3 questions is computed, thus the final index
ranges from the lowest 0 (no corruption transactions with the public administration) to the
highest possible 10 (all contacts involved corruption transactions with the public
administration).
i4 (Involvement in corrupt practices) = (a13ar + a13br + a13cr)/3
A13. WHENEVER YOU HAVE CONTACTED OFFICIALS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, HOW OFTEN IN THE
LAST YEAR YOU HAVE HAD TO:
One answer on each line.
1
2
3
4
9
A13A
A13B
A13C
Give cash to an official
Give gift to an official
Do an official a favor
In
In
In
In
all cases
most of the cases
isolated cases
no cases
Don't know/No answer
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
9
9
9
3. ASSESSMENT OF THE SPREAD OF CORRUPTION
3.1.
Spread of corruption
This index registers citizens’ assessments of the spread of corrupt practices among
public sector employees.
6
This index is a function of question (a2), where the value codes are recoded as follows:
Original
value
1
2
3
4
9
Label
Almost all officials are involved
Most officials are involved
Few officials are involved
Scarcely anyone of the officials is
involved
Don't know/No answer
Recoded (final) value
(a2r)
10
6.6666666
3.3333333
0
System missing
An average of the recoded values for question a2 is computed, thus the final index ranges
from the lowest 0 (nobody from the public administration is involved in corruption) to the
highest possible 10 (almost everybody from the public administration is involved in
corruption).
i5 (Spread of corruption) = a2r
A2.
AS you SEE IT, HOW FAR IS CORRUPTION PROLIFERATED AMONG THE OFFICIALS IN THE
PUBLIC SECTOR?
One answer only.
1
2
3
4
Almost all officials are involved
Most officials are involved
Few officials are involved
Scarcely anyone of the officials is involved
9
3.2.
Don't know/No answer
Practical efficiency of corruption
This index shows citizens’ assessments of the extent to which corruption is an
efficient means of solving personal problems, i.e. it assesses whether corruption pays
off.
This index is a function of questions (a3a, a3b, a3c), where the value codes are recoded as
follows:
Original
value
1
2
3
Label
Very likely
Rather likely
Rather unlikely
Recoded (final) value
(a3ar, a3br, a3cr)
10
6.6666666
3.3333333
7
4
Not likely at all
Don't know/No answer
9
0
System missing
An average of the recoded values for all 3 questions is computed, thus the final index ranges
from the lowest 0 (not likely at all) to the highest possible 10 (very likely).
i6 (Practical efficiency of corruption) = (a3ar + a3br + a3cr)/3
A3.
IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY SOLVE ONE'S PROBLEM IS IT LIKELY OR IS IT NOT LIKELY
HE/SHE TO HAVE TO:
One answer on each line.
1
2
3
4
Very likely
Rather likely
Rather unlikely
Not likely at all
9
A3A
A3B
A3C
Give cash to an official
Give a gift to an official
Do a favor to an official
1
1
1
Don't know/No answer
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
9
9
9
4. CORRUPTION EXPECTATIONS
This index registers citizens’ assessments of the capacity (potential) of their societies
to cope with the problem of corruption.
This index is a function of question (a19), where the value codes are recoded as follows:
Original
value
Label
1
The wide spread of corruption cannot
be reduced
Corruption will always exist in
(country), yet it can be limited to a
degree
Corruption in (country) can be
substantially reduced
Corruption in (country) can be
eradicated
Don't know/No answer
2
3
4
9
Recoded
(final) value
(a19r)
10
6.6666666
3.3333333
0
System
8
missing
An average of the recoded values for question a19 is computed, thus the final index ranges
from the lowest 0 (corruption can be eradicated) to the highest possible 10 (corruption
cannot be reduced).
i7 (Corruption expectations) = a19r
A19. IN VIEW OF CORRUPTION IN (COUNTRY), WHICH OF FOLLOWING OPINIONS IS CLOSER TO YOUR
OWN?
One answer only.
1
The wide spread of corruption cannot be reduced
2
Corruption will always exist in (country), yet it can be limited to a
degree
3
Corruption in (country) can be substantially reduced
4
Corruption in (country) can be eradicated
9
Don't know/No answer
New indices
1. Identification (awareness) of corruption
This index shows the share of the population, which recognises the enlisted in the
questionnaire 11 corruption practices as such.
Based on questions A1B-A1K.
Counts identified corruption practices.
Maximum score 11 = all practices identified as corruption. Minimum score 0 = no behavior
identified as corruption.
Suggested recoding:
1 = (values 0 thru 3) = low level of awareness of corruption behavior
2 = (values 4 thru 7) = moderate level of awareness
3 = (values 8 thru 11) = high level of awareness
9
SPSS SYNTAX
COUNT
ICor = a1ba a1bb a1bc a1bd a1be a1bf a1bg a1bh a1bi a1bj a1bk (1) .
VARIABLE LABELS ICor 'Identification of corruption' .
EXECUTE .
RECODE
ICor
(SYSMIS=SYSMIS) (0 thru 3=1) (4 thru 7=2) (8 thru 11=3) INTO ICor2 .
VARIABLE LABELS ICor2 'Identification of corruption (categories)'.
EXECUTE .
2. Level of corruptness of the environment
This index measures the share of the population, which considers the overall environment in
the country as corruption vs. the share of the population, which considers it as not corrupt.
Based on questions a3a to a3c
Counts value 4 = not likely at all to pay/give something to official.
Maximum score 3 = bribes are unlikely
Minimum score 0 = bribes of all types are likely
Value 5 to be recoded into system missing.
Value 3 = environment is not corrupted. Values 0 to 2 = environment is corrupted.
SPSS SYNTAX
count ICcorenv= a3a to a3c (4).
VARIABLE LABELS ICcorenv 'Level of corruptness of the environment' .
EXECUTE .
if (a3a=9) ICcorenv =5.
if (a3b=9) ICcorenv =5.
if (a3c=9) ICcorenv =5.
fre ICcorenv.
RECODE
ICcorenv
(5=SYSMIS) (3=2) (0 thru 2=1) INTO ICcorenv2 .
10
VARIABLE LABELS ICcorenv2 'Level of corruptness of the environment'+
' (categories)'.
EXECUTE .
fre ICcorenv2.
3. Susceptibility to corruption
This index divides the population in three groups according to its declared behavior/ reaction to
bribery opportunities: susceptible to corruption; non susceptible to corruption; and mixed behavior
group.
Based on questions a8 and a15.
Categories of both collapsed to 2 options: susceptible to corruption (1,2 and 3) and not
susceptible (4). Based on that 3 types of respondents are formed:
1: susceptible to corruption (would give and accept bribes)
2: not susceptible to corruption (would not give or accept bribes)
3: mixed behavior (would give, but not accept or the opposite)
SPSS SYNTAX
compute aa8=a8.
compute aa15=a15.
recode aa8 aa15 (1 thru 2=3).
compute skl=0.
if (aa8=3 and aa15=3)
if (aa8=4 and aa15=4)
if (aa8=3 and aa15=4)
if (aa8=4 and aa15=3)
skl=1.
skl=2.
skl=3.
skl=3.
val lab skl 1 'Susceptible to corruption' 2 'Not susceptible to corruption' 3 'Mixed behavior'.
recode skl (0=sysmis).
fre skl.
4. Tolerance of corruption practices (Acceptability)
This index shows the share of the population, who accept vs the share of the population, who do not
accept corruption in their country.
Based on variables a9 and a10.
Logic: respondents who consider any of the list of practices acceptable (values 1 and 2 on a9
and a10) are coded as “accepting”, while the others (values 3, 4 and 9) are coded as
unaccepting these practices.
11
SPSS SYNTAX
COUNT
Ix1 = A9A A9B A9C A9D A10A A10B A10C A10D (1) A9A A9B A9C A9D A10A A10B A10C A10D (2)
.
VARIABLE LABELS Ix1 'Tolerance of corruption practices (Acceptability)'.
EXECUTE .
fre Ix1.
recode Ix1 (1 thru 8 = 2) (0=1) INTO Ix2.
VARIABLE LABELS Ix2'Tolerance of corruption practices (Acceptability)'.
EXECUTE .
fre Ix2.
5. Corruption pressure
This index shows the shares of the population, who have had contacts with the public
administration and those who have not, as well as the share of the formes who have
experience or not corruption pressure during these contacts.
Based on variables A12a and a12b.
Logic: corruption pressure has been exercised, if respondent answers with categories 1, 2
and 3 on any of the two variables. Respondents who answered with category 4 on both
questions have not experienced corruption pressure.
SPSS SYNTAX
compute NNaa12a=a12a.
compute NNaa12b=a12b.
recode NNaa12a NNaa12b (1 thru 2=3).
count IPress= NNaa12a NNaa12b (3).
fre IPress.
recode IPress (2=1).
fre IPress.
if (NNaa12a=8) IPress=8.
if (NNaa12b=8) IPress=8.
if (NNaa12a=9) IPress=9.
if (NNaa12b=9) IPress=9.
fre IPress.
val lab IPress 0 'No corruption pressure' 1 'Experienced corruption pressure' 8 'No contact with
administration' 9 'DK/NA'.
EXECUTE .
12
VARIABLE LABELS IPress 'Experience with corruption pressure'.
EXECUTE .
fre IPress.
6. Involvement in corruption transactions
This index shows the share of the population who declared they gave a bribe in their contact
with the public administration vs the share who did not, as well as the share who did not
contact the public administration at all.
Based on variables a13a a13b and a13c.
Logic: respondents who answered with categories 1, 2 and 3 on any of the variables have
been involved in corruption transactions (gave bribes in different forms).
SPSS SYNTAX
compute NNaa13a=a13a.
compute NNaa13b=a13b.
compute NNaa13c=a13c.
recode NNaa13a NNaa13b NNaa13c(1 thru 2=3) (sysmis=20).
count IIct= NNaa13a NNaa13b NNaa13c(3).
recode IIct (2 thru 3=1).
if
if
if
if
if
if
(NNaa13a=9) IIct=9.
(NNaa13b=9) IIct=9.
(NNaa13c=9) IIct=9.
(NNaa13a=20) IIct=20.
(NNaa13b=20) IIct=20.
(NNaa13c=20) IIct=20.
val lab IIct 0 'Did not give bribe' 1 'Gave bribe' 20 'No contact with admin' 9 'DK/NA'.
var lab IIct 'Involvement in corruption'.
fre IIct.
13