04. Roper Center Data Resources, Roper Center for Public Opinion Reserach

• In Event: 265 - Research Funding Opportunities and Data Resources (part of the Research Support Forum)

Abstract

Public opinion survey data is critical when studying the attitudes and behaviors of people in the aggregate. And the Roper Center is the largest archives of public opinion survey information in existence anywhere in the world. The polls date back to the 1930s right up to present and there are more than 20,000 survey datasets available representing over 100 countries. The Center's mission is both to preserve and provide access to the rich survey data entrusted to its care. As such, this live demo-poster will permit participants to search the holdings using various tools to identify studies rich in the subject area of their interest.

The iPOLL database maintains over 600,000 questions and responses from surveys conducted in the US since 1935 and as current as last week. Every major polling organization in the country is represented and the questions are indexed by keyword, topic, field dates and survey firm. About one-sixth of the questions in iPOLL are presented with demographic banner tables, so without programming, see how key groups responded to the items. Furthermore, links are provided to download complete datasets and to an online analysis tool that permits running crosstabs without programming.

A broad array of social issues are covered in this collection, including nearly every major social, political policy issue and most behaviors. Be sure to visit this poster, you won't be disappointed.

Author

• Lois Timms-Ferrara, University of Connecticut