Scientific use
- Easy overview of the research findings on happiness, no need for costly literature studies.
Better than a search in Google Scholar because of:
– Pre-selection on concept (life-satisfaction) instead of selection on key words
– Use of standard technical terminology
– Provision of advanced search functions - Preparation for meta-analysis; that is quantitative analysis of multiple quantitative research findings
Examples of meta-analyses that used the World Database of Happiness
– Private wealth and happiness
– Healthy eating and happiness
– Effect of happiness training on happiness - Preparation for further research because it permits
– A view on white spots in our knowledge, which helps to avoid double work
– A view on the technical requirements for comparison with earlier research
Use in organizations
- A view of happiness in target groups: How happy are these people, what makes them happy?
Relevant information for marketing: product development and communication - A view of happiness in personal. How happy are your people? How different is their happiness from happiness found in other organizations and occupations?
Relevant information for Human Resource Management
Use in public policy
- View on happiness of citizens: How happy are they? Are they getting more of less happy? Are there pockets of unhappiness in society? What conditions add most/least to happiness of the great number? Does happiness affect voting?
Relevant information decision making, cost-benefit analysis in particular - View on the happiness of civil servants. Are these people more or less happy than workers in the private sector? What drives their happiness?
Relevant information for Human Resource Management
Use in happiness education
Provides a factual basis for advice and training giving answers to such questions as the following:
– Will healthy eating make you happier?
– Better spend your money on experiences than on things?
– What lifestyles appears to be most satisfying for people like you?
Relevant information for educators, journalists and life-coaches
Don’t people know what will make them happy?
No, what people think will make them happy (expected utility) often differs from what in fact makes them happy (experienced utility). One of the goals of happiness education is to foster realistic expectations.