Political Attitudes Study
June 2010
Statement of Informed Consent

This study involves research on political attitudes. Participation in the study is entirely voluntary. There are no known risks associated with this study. Subjects may choose to end participation at any point in the study. Any personal information collected in this study is kept strictly confidential by the research team and no published reports will provide any identifying information. The study takes approximately 30 minutes to complete on average.  By clicking next below, you acknowledge that you have read this statement and agree to participate.
  Are you currently 18 years of age or older?
 
  Are you registered to vote?
 
  In 2008 Barack Obama ran on the Democratic ticket against John McCain for the Republicans. Which candidate did you vote for in that election?
 
 
  Do you plan to vote in the 2010 Congressional midterm general election in November?
 
  When you vote do you usually get a feeling of satisfaction from it, or do you only do it because it's your duty?
 
  Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statement:
    If I do not vote, I feel like less of an American.
 
  We hear a lot of talk these days about liberals and conservatives. Here is a seven-point scale on which the political views that people might hold are arranged from extremely liberal to extremely conservative. Where would you place yourself and the following politicians on this scale?
                 
  Yourself                
  John McCain                
  Barack Obama                
  George W. Bush                
  Bill Clinton                
  If you had to choose, would you consider yourself a liberal or a conservative?
 
 
  Some people don't pay much attention to politics. How about you? Would you say that you have been very interested, somewhat interested or not very interested in politics in the last 12 months?
 
  Some people say they do not have the ability to understand politics. How about you? Would you say you are very confident, somewhat confident, or not very confident in your ability to understand politics?
 
  Some people say that political leaders and institutions are not responsive to citizens. How about you? Would you say political leaders and institutions are very responsive, somewhat responsive, or not very responsive to citizens?
 
  Some people say that no matter who people vote for, it won’t make any difference to what happens. How about you? Would you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the idea that who you vote for makes no difference to what happens?
 
  How often do you discuss politics with your family and friends?
 
  Have you ever...
   
  Donated money to a political campaign?  
  Volunteered for a community organization?  
  Participated in a political protest?  
  Visisted a candidate's website?  
  Attended a campaign rally or other campaign event?  
  Written an e-mail or letter to a politician?  
  Given money to a charitable cause?  
  Volunteered for a political campaign?  
  Attended a community festival?  
  Have you ever...
   
  Considered running for political office?  
  Considered working for a politician in a paid or volunteer position?  
  Been told by family that you should run for political office?  
  Been told by friends that you should run for political office?  
  Been told by co-workers that you should run for political office?  
  Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a  Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or something else?
 
  Would you call yourself a strong Democrat or a not very strong Democrat?
 
  Would you call yourself a strong Republican or a not very strong Republican?
 
  Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or closer to the Democratic party?
 
  Some people think the government should provide fewer services, even in areas such as health and education, in order to reduce spending. Other people feel it is important for the government to provide many more services even if it means an increase in spending. And of course, other people have opinions somewhere in between. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
 
  Some people feel the government in Washington should see to it that every person has a job and a good standard of living. Others think the government should just let each person get ahead on their own. And of course, other people have opinions somewhere in between. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
 
  As you know, in our tax system people who earn a lot of money have to pay higher rates of income tax than those who earn less.  Some people think that those with high incomes should pay even more of their income in taxes than they do now.  Others think that the rates shouldn't be different at all -- that everyone should pay the same portion of their income, no matter how much they make. And of course, other people have opinions somewhere in between. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
 
  Present governmental regulations with regard to pollution and other environmental problems limit full use of some energy and mineral resources.  Do you think the government should relax environmental protection regulations to increase the use of these resources, or should the government make regulations tougher, even though this might increase the cost of energy and other products? Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
 
  Some people feel that the ownership of firearms should be severely limited, while others feel the 2nd Amendment should be interpreted to mean that there should be virtually no limits on gun ownership. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
 
  Some people feel that school vouchers help kids escape failing public school while forcing those schools to improve performance or risk losing all funding, while others feel vouchers take money away from the public schools that are in most need of additional funding. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
 
  There is much concern about the rise in medical and hospital costs, and over the fact that many people do not have health insurance.  Some feel that there should be a government insurance plan which would cover all medical and hospital costs.  Others feel that medical expenses should be paid by individuals, and through private insurance like Blue Cross. And some people feel government should provide subsidies to help people buy private insurance plans. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
 
  Some people feel that the government in Washington should make every possible effort to improve the social and economic position of blacks and other minority groups, even if it means giving them preferential treatment.  Others feel that the government should not make any special effort to help minorities because they should help themselves. Still others take positions in the middle of this issue. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
 
  There has been a great deal of talk lately about the question of same sex couples. Which statement below best describes your position on gay marriage?
 
  For each of the following federal programs and agencies, indicate whather you would like to see spending increased or decreased:
         
  Head Start        
  Foreign aid        
  Department of Justice        
  Tightening border security        
  Department of State        
  Department of Defense        
  Federal student loans        
  Medicare        
  Read each item carefully. Using the scale shown below, please the option that best describes YOU.
               
  I can think of many ways to get out of a jam.              
  I energentically pursue my goals.              
  I feel tired most of the time.              
  There are lots of ways around any problem.              
  I am easily downed in an argument.              
  I can think of many ways to get the things in life that are most important to me.              
  I worry about my health.              
  Even when others get discouraged, I know I can find a way to solve the problem.              
  My past experiences have prepared me well for my future.              
  I've been pretty successful in life.              
  I usually find myself worrying about something.              
  I meet the goals that I set for myself.              
We are nearly complete now. We would like to conclude by asking a few standard questions about yourself.
  Do you consider religion to be an important part of your life, or not?
 
  Would you say you religion provides some guidance in your day-to-day living, quite a bit of guidance, or a great deal of guidance in your day-to-day life?
 
  Lots of things come up that keep people from attending religious services even if they want to.  Thinking about your life these days, do you ever attend religious services, apart from occasional weddings, baptisms or funerals?
 
  Do you go to religious services every week, almost every week, once or twice a month, a few times a year, or never?
 
  Would you say you go to religious services once a week or more often than once a week?
 
  Regardless of whether you now attend any religious services do you ever think of yourself as part of a particular church or denomination?
 
  Do you mostly think of yourself as Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish or something else?
 
 
 
 
  With which Baptist group is your church associated?
 
 
  Are you affiliated with any larger Baptist group or is this strictly a local church?
 
 
  Is this church part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Missouri Synod, or some other Lutheran group?
 
 
  Is your church part of the United Methodist Church, African Methodist Episcopal, or some other Methodist group?
 
 
  Is this the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. or some other Presbyterian group?
 
 
  Is this the Christian Reformed Church, the Reformed Church in America or some other Reformed group?
 
 
  Is this the church of the Brethren, the Plymouth Brethren, or some other group?
 
 
  When you say "Christian" does that mean the denomination called the "Christian Church Disciples of Christ," or some other Christian denomination, or do you mean to say "I am just a Christian?"
 
 
  Is this the Church of Christ or the United Church of Christ?
 
  Is this the Church of God of Anderson, Indiana; the Church of God of Cleveland, Tennessee; the Church of God in Christ; or some other Church of God?
 
 
 
 
 
  Do you usually attend a synagogue or temple that is Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or another type?
 
 
  What is your age?
 
  What is the highest grade of school or college that you have completed?
 
  Please look at the list of income ranges below and select the one that includes the income of all members of your family living with you in 2010 before taxes. This figure should include salaries, wages, tips, pensions, dividends, interest, and all other income.
 
  What best describes your relationship status?
 
  Are you a citizen of the United States?
 
  Were your parents born in this country?
 
  What racial or ethnic group or groups best describe you?
 
 
  Which category best describes your Hispanic origin?
 
 
 
  What is your sex?
 
Finally, we would like to ask you to answer five political knowledge questions. Unlike all the previous questions, these have correct answers. We ask that you do not look up answers to these questions online until after you have completed and submitted the study.
  Do you happen to know which political party currently has the most members in the United States House of Representatives?
 
  Do you happen to know who was the most recent Secretary of State before Hillary Clinton?
 
 
  When was the last time that the United States formally declared war?
 
  Which of the following countries are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council? (Check all that apply).
 
  Are you now or were you in the past year a student of Knox College?
 
 
 
 
Thank you very much for your participation.

Please click "SUBMIT" to end the study.
 

  Link to http://www.snapsurveys.com/