State of the State Survey

Initiated in October 1994, Michigan State University's State of the State Survey is the only survey conducted in Michigan designed to systematically monitor the public mood on important issues in major regions of the state. SOSS is administered by the Institute for Public Policy & Social Research's Office for Survey Research.

SOSS is a quarterly statewide telephone survey of a random sample of about 1,000 adult residents of Michigan.

Surveys run about 20 minutes in length. Five minutes of each survey are set aside for a core set of questions to provide background information and to monitor the public's satisfaction with existing economic conditions.

The surveys are based on stratified random samples of adults age 18 and older living in Michigan. The sample strata are based on the regions (shown here) used by the MSU Extension Office. The data sets include "weights" to adjust the data so that they are representative of the adult population of Michigan. Information about the weights is provided in the Methodological Report for each wave.

The major goals of SOSS are to provide:
• Timely critical issues information on citizen opinions.
• Data for scientific and policy research by MSU faculty.
• Information for programs and offices at MSU.
• Survey research methodology.
• Opportunities for student training and research.

Economist Charles Ballard, Ph.D., is the SOSS Director. Contact him at ballard@msu.edu or by calling 517-353-2961.