Survey Research Center and Undergraduate Research Opportunities Martin Kifer Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of the Survey Research center

Goals Provide student learning opportunities Do high quality social science research and promote findings as a community service Support faculty professional development

Background 22-station computer lab in Qubein School of Communication 12 more stations possible in Phillips Eight public polls so far See it all at src.highpoint.edu!

Background Calls Monday to Thursday 5 to 9 pm (and some weekends) when in operation Student interviewers (without regard to major) Everyone receives training in research ethics, interviewing skills, computer/telephone interviewing system, survey methodology Now with practicum opportunity (see handout)

Research Help We have done this: Field questions on “omnibus” surveys Analyze HPU or other data Enter data from non-SRC studies Consult on survey construction Consider proposals for full studies We can do it for undergraduate student research!

Research Help Students could: Seek consultation on survey construction or administration Request help with processing, analyzing, or interpreting data Access data from previously fielded studies Offer questions on omnibus or other surveys (with faculty sponsorship)

Examples Consumer sentiment Media use Attitudes about education policy Psychology of future helicopter parents

Examples See your hand out for more examples: Student questions about women and politics, death penalty, and employment Class questions about advertising and marketing Faculty questions about the environment, voluntary organizations, and sources of information about home furnishings

Ideas Welcome Congress in a word, March 2011

“RFP” Propose 1 – 4 questions for November survey Must be: Applicable to the adults (over 18) of NC Good format for phone interviews Deadline: TBA (but think in terms of late September) In case of large response, may field questions in Spring 2012

Questions?