Methodology

The WJP Rule of Law Index is a first attempt to quantify systematically and comprehensively a set of rule of law outcomes by linking the conceptual definitions to concrete questions. These questions are then administered to a representative sample of the general public, and to local experts, and then are analyzed and cross-checked pursuant to a rigorous triangulation methodology. The outcome of this exercise is one of the world’s most comprehensive data sets regarding adherence to the rule of law in practice.

The WJP’s Rule of Law Index methodology utilizes two main sources of new data: (i) a general population poll (GPP), designed by The World Justice Project and conducted by leading local polling companies using a representative sample of 1,000 respondents in three cities per country; and (ii) a qualified respondents’ questionnaire (QRQ) consisting of closed ended questions completed by in-country practitioners and academics with expertise in civil and commercial law, criminal justice, labor law, and public health.

The QRQ is administered on a yearly basis in each surveyed country, and the GPP is carried out every three years. In addition, some variables from thirdparty sources have been incorporated into this version of the Index, to capture certain structural rule of law situations such as terrorist bombings and battle-related deaths that may not be captured through general population polls or expert opinion. Finally, existing domestic and international data sources and legal resources is used to cross-check the findings.

The Index comprises more than 400 different variables, organized into nine factors and 52 subfactors. These variables are aggregated and compiled into numerical scores. To date, over 2,000 experts from 66 nations and jurisdictions have contributed their knowledge and expertise to the Index.

A detailed description of the process by which data is collected and the rule of law is measured is provided in Botero and Ponce (2011).