Future Data Collections
checkmark How to Propose Questions for Upcoming Studies

The effectiveness of these studies will be greatly enhanced if they are based on sustained, constructive, and rigorous scholarly interactions about all aspects of questionnaire design and implementation. Many innovative ideas (from a range of scientific disciplines and perspectives) can be incorporated in the upcoming studies, and we have created an online tool, the Online Commons, to make such collaborations possible. The goal of the Online Commons is to improve the quality and scientific value of each of our data collections, to encourage the submission of new ideas, and to make such experiences more beneficial to and enjoyable for individual investigators.

checkmark 2008-2009 Panel Study

While we know a lot about what correlates with candidate preferences and vote choices and turnout, we also know that correlations do not necessarily document causality. Panel data are appealing for this purpose, and also because one of the major interests of election analysts is change over time in individuals.

The 2008-2009 ANES Panel Study will collect data on multiple occasions from a panel of respondents, with the same variables being measured more than once per respondent. The panel study will involve six core waves of interviewing with the same respondents, plus 15 additional secondary waves of data collection. The first core wave will be conducted in January 2008. Subsequent core waves of data collection will be in June 2008 (before the parties’ conventions), September 2008, and October 2008. Two post-election core waves will be conducted in November 2008, and in May 2009. The 15 secondary months of data collection will involve questionnaires not directly about politics.

Interviews will be conducted on the Internet with a new national probability sample that is recruited specifically for this purpose. Interviews will average 30 minutes in length for each of the six core waves.

checkmark 2008 ANES Time Series Study

Our presidential election study in 2008 will continue the ANES time series that has been conducted since 1948. Face-to-face interviews will be conducted with a newly recruited, nationally representative sample of eligible voters. Data collection for the pre-election wave will begin in early September 2008 and conclude on Monday, November 3, 2008. The pre-election wave is expected to yield at least 1,810 interviews of at least 60 minutes in length. No interviewing will be conducted on Election Day. Data collection for the post-election wave, a reinterview of the pre-election respondents, will begin on Wednesday, November 5, 2008, and conclude in late December 2008. The post-election study is expected to yield at least 1,629 interviews of at least 70 minutes in length.

The questionnaires will consist both of core questions (some of which have been asked since 1948) and new content.

checkmark ANES Policy on Use of its Survey Questions

ANES encourages use of its products and looks forward to opportunities to help scholars conduct more effective research. On many occasions, we are contacted by scholars who ask if they can use ANES questions on their own surveys. On occasion, ANES is also asked about the content of questionnaires for surveys that are “in the field” and have not yet been completed. This document describes our policy for the use of ANES survey questions in these situations and others.