Agency says it did not oversee study of Icelandic men

Iceland’s Centre for Gender Equality says it was not responsible for a study of attitudes among Icelandic men, despite its name appearing on the report’s title page, mbl.is reported. The research was conducted by the think tank Equimundo at the request of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Tryggvi Hallgrímsson, a specialist at the centre, said its role was mainly advisory. It suggested Icelandic survey companies to the researchers and advised on translating the questions, but did not review the report or see the final questionnaire before it was used.

Researchers have strongly criticised the study’s findings about Iceland, citing methodological concerns including the small Icelandic sample and the use of an online panel that may not represent the groups the results are intended to describe.

The report argues that Icelandic men’s views differ from those of men elsewhere in the Nordic countries. Among other findings, it says they are more likely to consider violence acceptable in certain circumstances.

The Centre for Gender Equality raised concerns about the study’s methodology in a statement published on its website on Friday. Hallgrímsson said the centre had hoped the report would prompt discussion, but agreed that research on gender equality must have a sound methodological basis to inform policy and government decisions.