About
the State of the State Survey
Provided below is detailed information about the State of the State
Survey (SOSS). Categories of information include:
Overview
Initiated in October 1994, Michigan State University's State of
the State Survey is the only survey conducted in Michigan
designed to provide a regular systematic monitoring of 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 at MSU.
SOSS is a quarterly statewide telephone survey of a random sample
of about 1,000 adult residents of Michigan. Surveys span 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 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.
• Expanded growth in survey research methodology.
• Enhanced opportunities for student training and research.
Core Questionnaire
Each wave of the SOSS includes a set of core questions,
seasonal questions and questions added by faculty and other community
question contributors.
Core questions serve two purposes: (1) provide a standard
set of socio-demographic background variables; and (2) provide a
standard set of questions to monitor change in the economic and
political orientations of Michigan residents. Some waves of SOSS
have embellished on the standard variables, but there have been
only minor changes in the core questions over time. Core Questions
are as follows:
Demographic
• Age
• Ethnicity and Race
• Gender
• Marital Status
• Religion
• Education Level
• Employment
• Income
• Union Member Status
• Place of Residence (urban, suburban, rural)
• County
• Region of the State (MSU Extension Regions Plus Detroit)
Economic
• Business Conditions
• Employment Situation
• Inflation Rate
• Present, Future, and Past Financial Situation
Political
• Political Ideology
• Political Party Identification
• Presidential Approval
• Governor Approval
• Concern about Terrorism
Seasonal Questions:
SOSS seasons correspond with the annual cycle of major events in
Michigan and at Michigan State University. In general, the intended
cycle is as follows:
Fall: The Fall round in even-numbered years focuses on
elections, political participation, and political attitudes and
orientations. In odd-numbered years, the Fall round tends to focus
on health and the environment.
Winter: The Winter round in each year focuses on the
state of the state of Michigan, in particular on the performance
of governmental institutions at all levels, on the subjective
quality of life
of Michigan's citizens (satisfaction with public education, work,
protection from crime,
environmental preservation, and so forth), and on the desire for
reform in Michigan's political
economy. This information should help to inform the public discussion
around the time of the
Governor's annual budget message. In addition, questions on the
public's perceptions of Michigan's higher educational institutions
should help to inform public discussion around the time the annual
"State of MSU" address by the President of the University.
Spring: The Spring round has as a main theme the state
of Michigan families, the role and status of women, and the status
of children. Assessments of public opinion concerning issues of
women's rights, the status of children, and related issues will
help to inform policy debates.
Summer: The Summer round focuses primarily on the state
of ethnic Michigan. For example, the vitality and diversity of
Michigan's ethnic and racial communities. SOSS assesses the strength
of ethnicities and identities, perceptions of various ethnic groups
(tolerance, stereotyping), and experience of intolerance or discrimination.
In addition, the extent of attachment to and vitality of wider
communities (towns and cities) is an important mark of the quality
of life in Michigan.
From time to time, SOSS has departed from this thematic plan
when particular sponsorship or pressing issues have made it necessary
or desirable.
Collaborators
Numerous administrative offices, departments, and
programs at MSU are consistent SOSS contributors and collaborators.
Organizations with a particular interest in a given subject area
also sponsor waves on an individual basis. For information on participating,
contact Charles Ballard, Ph.D. or Larry Hembroff, Ph.D.
The questionnaire for each wave of SOSS is developed
by working groups who also serve as principal investigators and
analysts. Experts from nonprofit organizations and other non-MSU
organizations are sometimes invited to advise or participate in
the working groups.
We gratefully acknowledge the following organizations and units
on campus that have provided funding for SOSS during our series of surveys:
Organizations:
• Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan
• Aspen Institute
• Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan
• Nonprofit Michigan Project
• United Way of Michigan
Michigan State University:
• Office of the Provost
• Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies
• Office of the Vice Provost for University Outreach
• College of Communication Arts & Sciences
• College of Human Ecology
• College of Human Medicine
• College of Osteopathic Medicine
• College of Social Science
• Department of Economics
• Department of Political Science
• Department of Psychology
• Department of Radiology
• Department of Sociology
• Institute for Children Youth and Families
• Institute for Public Policy and Social Research
• Legislative Leadership Program
• Managed Care Institute
• Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station
• MSU Extension
• School of Criminal Justice
• School of Labor and Industrial Relations
• School of Social Work
How to Participate as a SOSS Investigator
As described above, every round of SOSS includes a “core”
of basic socio-demographic and consumer confidence questions as
well as a “variable” part on which individual investigators
may purchase time.
SOSS encourages individuals, institutions, and organizations to
sponsor sections of the “variable” part of the survey.
Typically, 12-14 minutes of variable time is available for purchase
in each round.
Data from past rounds of SOSS (subject to a 6-month embargo) are
already available for use via IPPSR's Data
on Demand free of charge.
Prices for State of the State Survey
SOSS charges investigators by minute of interview time, and assumes
completion of approximately 1,000 interviews using the standard
SOSS stratified statewide RDD sample. Design, fieldwork, preparation, and documentation are covered by these fees. Thanks to ongoing support from MSU's College of Social Science and Office of the Provost, the cost to participate is partially subsidized. The per minute rates are:
$3,500: MSU faculty and staff
$4,000: Nonprofit organizations other than MSU, including public
and private colleges and universities
$4,500: General users
How Many Questions Can You Get for the Time that You Buy?
A typical minute on the survey would include between 3 and 5 questions,
depending on the complexity of the questions. Timings are calculated
based on pretests.
As noted below, an investigator receives all of the survey results
for that round. No questions are embargoed. So minutes that a given
investigator buys are “multiplied” several times over
by the remaining questions in the survey to which he or she has
access. This includes a series of demographic questions that allow for analysis by type of respondent or respondent region.
Who Writes the Questions?
The investigators for each round write draft questions, with advice
as needed from the SOSS director and the OSR staff. The OSR staff
will help to improve the questions as well as format them for use
on the CATI system. Investigators have final approval on the questions
that they write.
How Long Does It Take to Receive the Results?
SOSS surveys are typically in the field for 4 to 6 weeks. Allow
up to another week or two for data processing, coding, and preparation
of documentation.
What Kind of Results Do You Receive?
The Office for Survey Research strives to provide the highest quality data allowing for publication in academic and scholarly journals. Investigators receive the final data (in SPSS portable file format),
the questionnaire, a codebook, and a methodological report –
all as electronic files.
Who Does the Analysis?
Most SOSS investigators analyze their own data. However, IPPSR
is willing to contract its services to assist with data analysis.
In addition, IPPSR staff will work with the investigators to prepare
research papers, presentations, or publicity (such as press releases) on topics that
are of immediate relevance to policymakers.
Who Owns the Data?
Investigators have immediate and exclusive rights for six months
to publish results from questions that they sponsored in a given
round. Students, faculty, and administrators at MSU may use the
data during that time for instructional or administrative purposes
but not for publication.
After the embargo (six months), the data and documentation
go into the public domain and are released via the SOSS "Data
on Demand” website.
Contact to Express Interest in Participating
If you would like more information about participating in SOSS,
you may contact:
Charles Ballard, Ph.D., Director of the
State of the State Survey. Contact him at ballard@msu.edu or 517-353-2961.
If you have questions about access to existing SOSS data and documentation, or for assistance with analysis or dissemination of results, please consult:
Cynthia Kyle, M.A., Education Specialist, Institute for Public Policy and Survey Research. Contact her at kylec@msu.edu or 517-353-1731.
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