Creating Innovative Social Science Research Infrastructure

High-quality data on public opinion is important today for policymakers to effectively address the many challenges to prosperity and well-being in the US. To improve data coverage, this project establishes a new survey research laboratory to produce high-quality public opinion data to policymakers and the public, with new curricula and improved educational and workforce training of undergraduate students. The new academic laboratory has the potential to serve as a hub for research into public opinion, helping such institutions, community organizations, and government policymakers better serve their sometimes hard to reach residents. To expand survey research coverage in the US, the project's research team uses an innovative sampling design for jurisdictions that lack standardized addresses (with address-based sampling being the most common approach to representative sample design). This survey draws on an original, stratified, three-stage area probability sample that maximizes the quality and representativeness of the resulting data. The panel survey data offers covers topics common on public opinion surveys on contemporary issues that impact Americans. The panel survey occurs in tandem with a robust set of programs to support student and faculty research. In doing so, this collaboration creates new possibilities to support student and faculty research and build the next generation of the scientific workforce through investments in technical skills, data tools, and research experiences. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.