The Eurobarometer is a program commissioned by the European Commission to monitor public opinion in the European Union member countries. Topics vary with each series, and have included agriculture, energy, environment, gender roles, immigration, knowledge of foreign languages, poverty, public health, technology, and other special topics.

Eurobarometer 31 covered topics including: specific diseases and medical conditions; information and communication; international politics and organization; mass political behavior, attitudes, and opinion; government, political systems, and organization; and science and technology.

Data collection took place in Northern Ireland from 3-5 April 1989.