--- title: Global Flourishing Study description: The Global Flourishing Study is a $43.4 million, five-year annual study of 200,000 individuals in 22 countries across a broad range of well-being outcomes. image: https://www.cos.io/hubfs/gfs-social.jpg --- [![Center for Open Science](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/COS%202024/cos-full-tag-v.png?width=200&height=165&name=cos-full-tag-v.png "Center for Open Science")](https://www.cos.io?hsLang=en) [![Global Flourishing Study](https://www.cos.io/hubfs/GFS/GFS%20logo.png "Global Flourishing Study")](https://globalflourishingstudy.com) Access to Data and Tools for Researchers ## About the Study and Commitment to Open Science The Global Flourishing Study (GFS) is a multi-year longitudinal research collaboration between researchers at the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University and the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University, in partnership with Gallup and the Center for Open Science (COS), and with the support of a consortium of funders. Data is collected for 20+ geographically and culturally diverse countries and territories, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Mainland China, Egypt, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States. GFS measures global human flourishing in six areas: 1. Happiness and life satisfaction 2. Mental and physical health 3. Meaning and purpose 4. Character and virtue 5. Close social relationships 6. Material and financial stability The GFS is being led by principal investigators Byron R. Johnson, Director of the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University, and Tyler J. VanderWeele, Director of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University. ## Accessing GFS Data for the First Time ![Review](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/icons/gfs-icon-01review.png?width=68&height=60&name=gfs-icon-01review.png) ### 1. Review the key project documents Use: [Handbook](https://osf.io/et4yf/files/gbswu) [Gallup Docs](https://www.cos.io/gfs-resources?hsLang=en) ![Design](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/icons/gfs-icon-02design.png?width=68&height=60&name=gfs-icon-02design.png) ### 2. Design your preregistration Use: [Preregistration Template](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jmGy8jkA5YKlhEhGiEMTA66MVHrzoTdBt6ELXsiPYb4/edit?usp=sharing) [Preregistration Guide](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_9GRFwUwWMq0q5X3vuZe8zTYcj6GWnSjqu02MuWCdtA/edit?usp=sharing) ![Create](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/icons/gfs-icon-03create.png?width=68&height=60&name=gfs-icon-03create.png) ### 3. Log in or create your OSF account Use: [OSF Guide](https://help.osf.io/article/338-starting-pathway-on-the-osf) ![](https://www.cos.io/hubfs/GFS/gfs-arrow-la-end.png) ![](https://www.cos.io/hubfs/GFS/gfs-arrow-la-start.png) ![Add](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/icons/gfs-icon-04add.png?width=68&height=60&name=gfs-icon-04add.png) ### 4. Submit your preregistration to the GFS Registry Use: [Preregistration Guide](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_9GRFwUwWMq0q5X3vuZe8zTYcj6GWnSjqu02MuWCdtA/edit?usp=sharing) ![Wait](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/icons/gfs-icon-05wait.png?width=68&height=60&name=gfs-icon-05wait.png) ### 5. Await moderation of your preregistration Note: Moderation takes up to 10 days ![Accepted](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/icons/gfs-icon-06accepted.png?width=68&height=60&name=gfs-icon-06accepted.png) ### Accepted Receive data links by email ![Rejected](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/icons/gfs-icon-06rejected.png?width=68&height=60&name=gfs-icon-06rejected.png) ### Returned to draft Review feedback, make updates, resubmit ## Requesting Additional Waves of Data ![Upload](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/icons/gfs-icon-08upload.png?width=68&height=60&name=gfs-icon-08upload.png) ### 1. Upload your research outputs (code and papers) to a public repository and create DOIs for those outputs Use: [Guide to Connecting Outputs](https://osf.io/et4yf/files/uqwdx) ![Link](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/icons/gfs-icon-09link.png?width=68&height=60&name=gfs-icon-09link.png) ### 2. Connect your research output DOIs to your prior preregistration(s) Use: [Guide to Connecting Outputs](https://osf.io/et4yf/files/uqwdx) ![Repeat](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/icons/gfs-icon-10repeat.png?width=68&height=60&name=gfs-icon-10repeat.png) ### 3. Begin your new preregistration Repeat steps from Accessing GFS Data for the First Time Questions about the GFS data and access? [Please complete the inquiry form](https://form.asana.com/?k=8Z6SAJWjwKzYDs90WAX2Gg&d=30849970456832). ## Quick Tips to Access GFS Data and Reports ### **Accessing Data** Wave 1, Year 1 Midyear, Wave 2 and US data weighted by state, non-sensitive data are publicly available. Access to Wave 3 data requires preregistration until April 2027. There are no restrictions on use once the data is public with the exception of sensitive data, which will continue to require ethical approval (e.g. from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Human Subjects Committee) prior to data access. ** ****You are strongly encouraged to preregister your study and analysis plan even when the data are publicly released to improve transparency and discoverability of your research. **Research plans that are not preregistered will not appear in the [Global Flourishing Registry](https://osf.io/registries/gfs), a repository that houses research on the GFS data. Everyone who completes a preregistration via the Open Science Framework (OSF) will be given links to all three waves of data. [![

Learn More About Accessing Public Data

](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6723653/interactive-210571564138.png) ](https://www.cos.io/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIehMv%2BzribT1p4jBkLwvuBvHI0dWrFq3EWEYmCs%2Fhj9sSX6Gc6bV7kYJK731a%2BC7jXW9fp2mTwdvjAjv1euleRDjs%2FKAPAtJBTR7aAUMF1vQWot0XulbAR7nVaIsA7LhXLzZ%2BvrY%2FtwPy6MZ%2FqBKbFOUisX%2BWD8cWd8dDed%2FHMfRRb&webInteractiveContentId=210571564138&portalId=6723653&hsLang=en) [![GFS Handbook](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/1%20Global%20Flourishing%20Study%20Handbook-1.png?width=850&height=1100&name=1%20Global%20Flourishing%20Study%20Handbook-1.png)](https://osf.io/et4yf/files/gbswu) #### [Global Flourishing Study Handbook](https://osf.io/et4yf/files/gbswu) [![GFS Prereg Guide Waves 1 2 3](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS%20Prereg%20Guide%20Waves%201%202%203.png?width=850&height=1100&name=GFS%20Prereg%20Guide%20Waves%201%202%203.png)](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_9GRFwUwWMq0q5X3vuZe8zTYcj6GWnSjqu02MuWCdtA/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.d67lfd290ywa) #### [Guide to Preregistration on the Global Flourishing Study Registry](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_9GRFwUwWMq0q5X3vuZe8zTYcj6GWnSjqu02MuWCdtA/edit?usp=sharing) [![GFS Prereg Template](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS%20Prereg%20Template.png?width=850&height=1100&name=GFS%20Prereg%20Template.png)](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jmGy8jkA5YKlhEhGiEMTA66MVHrzoTdBt6ELXsiPYb4/edit?usp=sharing) #### [Global Flourishing Study Preregistration Template](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jmGy8jkA5YKlhEhGiEMTA66MVHrzoTdBt6ELXsiPYb4/edit?usp=sharing) [![GFS Methodology](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/4%20GFS_Methodology-1.png?width=850&height=1100&name=4%20GFS_Methodology-1.png)](https://osf.io/k2s7u) #### [Methodology Report](https://osf.io/k2s7u) [![GFS Supplemental Methodology](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/5%20GFS_Supplemental_Methodology-1.png?width=850&height=1100&name=5%20GFS_Supplemental_Methodology-1.png)](https://osf.io/uwz8k) #### [Supplemental Methodology](https://osf.io/uwz8k) [![GFS Codebook](https://www.cos.io/hs-fs/hubfs/GFS/6%20GFS_codebook_wave2-1.png?width=850&height=1100&name=6%20GFS_codebook_wave2-1.png)](https://osf.io/dgbmh/files/jcaxg) #### [Codebook](https://osf.io/dgbmh/files/jcaxg) **Accessing Reports and Research** For a list of public registrations that contain details of planned research, visit the [GFS Registry](https://osf.io/registries/gfs). Scroll through the registrations or add search terms to narrow your search. You can also refine your search by using the menu in the left hand column. The colored open resource badges will take you to links for data, code, and draft papers (preprints) or journal articles. Visit the public [GFS website](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/) to find out more about the study and search the work of the core research team.    ## Discover Resources Not sure where to start? Check out [GFS resources](https://www.cos.io/gfs-resources?hsLang=en) to answer key questions and find step-by-step guidance. - Why do I need to use preregistration and report my outputs? - How can I find out more about the data? - How do I develop and add my preregistration analysis plan to the GFS Registry? - I’ve completed my analysis and written up my results - How do I connect my research outputs to my preregistration? [**Explore GFS resources.**](https://www.cos.io/gfs-resources?hsLang=en) ## News ### Keep up-to-date on the latest information about the Global Flourishing Study. ### Press Releases - February 13, 2024: [The Global Flourishing Study Releases Wave One Open Research Data with the Center for Open Science](https://www.cos.io/about/news/global-flourishing-study-releases-wave-one-open-research-data?hsLang=en) - August 16, 2023: [The Global Flourishing Study Launches Open Access of Sample Research Data with the Center for Open Science](https://www.cos.io/about/news/global-flourishing-study-launches-open-access-of-sample-research-data?hsLang=en) - October 29, 2021: [Baylor and Harvard Researchers Partner in Long-Term, Global Study of Human Flourishing](https://www.prnewswire.com/il/news-releases/baylor-and-harvard-researchers-partner-in-long-term-global-study-of-human-flourishing-301411573.html) ### Newsletters - December 12, 2024: [GFS Newsletter #3](https://mailchi.mp/721478695497/gfs-newsletter-6149142?e=224422054ehttps://mailchi.mp/721478695497/gfs-newsletter-6149142?e=224422054e) - February 13, 2024: [GFS Newsletter #2](https://mailchi.mp/29d36603ef04/gfs-newsletter-1386824) - November 13, 2023: [GFS Newsletter #1](https://mailchi.mp/58d646e82116/gfs-newsletter)  ## Research and Funding Partners The GFS is a collaboration between researchers from the [Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University](https://www.baylorisr.org/) and the [Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University](https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/global-flourishing-study?admin_panel=1), in partnership with [Gallup](https://www.gallup.com/home.aspx) and the [Center for Open Science](http://cos.io/?_gl=1*1mybkm7*_gcl_au*NjYzODg0MDI0LjE3NjI3OTkxNTI.*_ga*NTM5ODE3MTM2LjE3NjI3OTkxNTA.*_ga_YE9BMGGWX8*czE3Njg5MDkxMjEkbzE5JGcxJHQxNzY4OTEwOTU0JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..). [![BU_BrandMark_ISR_Horz_Green-pref](https://www.cos.io/hubfs/BU_BrandMark_ISR_Horz_Green-pref.png)](https://www.baylorisr.org/) [![harvard flourishing program](https://www.cos.io/hubfs/harvard%20flourishing%20program.png)](https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/) [![Gallup logo](https://www.cos.io/hubfs/Logos/GFS/gallup%20logo.png)](https://www.gallup.com/home.aspx) [![COS Logo_long](https://www.cos.io/hubfs/Logos/GFS/COS%20Logo_long.png)](https://www.cos.io/?hsLang=en) The GFS is generously funded by the [John Templeton Foundation](https://www.templeton.org/), [Templeton Religion Trust](https://templetonreligiontrust.org/), [Templeton World Charity Foundation](https://www.templetonworldcharity.org/), [Well-Being for Planet Earth](https://wpefoundation.org/), [Fetzer Institute](https://fetzer.org/), [Well Being Trust](https://wellbeingtrust.org/), [Paul L. Foster Family Foundation](https://paulfosterfamilyfoundation.com/), and the [David & Carol Myers Foundation](https://davidmyers.org/about/the-myers-foundation). The Center for Open Science is funded through a contract from Baylor University. ## Stay Connected with GFS I'm interested in general updates about the Global Flourishing Study I'm interested in data access news and updates about the Global Flourishing Study ![Global Flourishing Study](https://www.cos.io/hubfs/GFS/email.jpg "Global Flourishing Study") Questions about the GFS data access can be directed to [globalflourishing@cos.io](mailto:globalflourishing@cos.io). 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