WiNbus was an online access panel for young researchers in Germany, which was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Science (BMBF). Its target group comprised all those who are pursuing further academic studies at a higher education institution or a non-university research institution. WiNbus made it possible to carry out regular surveys of young researchers. The survey findings were incorporated into annual project reports that were offering detailed insights into the perception and evaluation of Germany as a research location. The findings were also used in the Federal Report on the Promotion of Young Researchers (BuWiN). Depending on the issues and requirements standardised online surveys and other methodological approaches were used.
The panel had been gradually expanded and regularly updated from 2008 to 2016. The participants were young researchers in different working contexts. Respondents have included those who are employed at universities, universities of applied science or non-university research institutions. Doctoral candidates who were funded by organisations to promote gifted students were also included in the survey.
The surveys had examined young researchers' attitudes to the Bologna Process, their career orientations and conditions, international mobility and networking, doctorate conditions, personnel development for young researchers, and career decisions for or against an academic career.
