Austin Institute 2018 Post-Midterms Study
DOI
10.17605/OSF.IO/7W6QACitation
Regnerus, M. (2022, April 19). Austin Institute 2018 Post-Midterms Study.Summary
Ipsos Public Affairs conducted the 2018 Post-Midterms Study on behalf of the Austin Institute. Specifically, the study examined the U.S. general population following the 2018 midterm election on issues related to the election, faith, family and sex. The survey was conducted using a sample from KnowledgePanel.The ARDA has added five additional variables to the original data set to enhance the users' experience on our site.
Data File
Cases: 5285Variables: 144
Weight Variable: WEIGHT
Significant resources and infrastructure are devoted to the recruitment process for KnowledgePanel so that our active panel members can properly represent the adult population of the U.S. This representation is achieved not only with respect to a broad set of geodemographic indicators, but also for hard-to-reach adults (such as those without Internet access or Spanish-language-dominant Hispanics) who are recruited in proper proportions. Consequently, the raw distribution of KnowledgePanel mirrors that of the U.S. adults fairly closely, barring occasional disparities that may emerge for certain subgroups due to differential attrition.
For selection of general population samples from KnowledgePanel, a patented methodology has been developed that ensures all samples behave as EPSEM samples. Briefly, this methodology starts by weighting the pool of active members to the geodemographic benchmarks secured from the latest March supplement of the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey (CPS) along several dimensions. Using the resulting weights as measures of size, a probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) procedure is used to select study specific samples. It is the application of this PPS methodology with the imposed size measures that produces fully self-weighing samples from KnowledgePanel, for which each sample member can carry a design weight of unity. Moreover, in instances where a study design requires any form of oversampling of certain subgroups, such departures from an EPSEM design are accounted for by adjusting the design weights in reference to the CPS benchmarks for the population of interest.
Data Collection
Nov. 7-15, 2018Original Survey (Instrument)
Austin Institute 2018 Post-Midterms StudyFunded By
The Austin InstituteCollection Procedures
Once assigned to a survey, members receive a notification email letting them know there is a new survey available for them to complete. This email notification contains a link that sends them to the survey. No login name or password is required (both login and password are contained in the email link, a person's password can only be used once). The field period depends on the client's needs and can range anywhere from a few hours to several weeks.After three days, automatic email reminders are sent to all non-responding panel members in the sample. Additional email reminders are sent as needed. To assist panel members with their survey taking, each individual has a personalized member portal listing all assigned surveys that have yet to be completed.
Ipsos also operates an ongoing modest incentive program to encourage participation and create member loyalty. The incentive program includes special raffles and sweepstakes with both cash rewards and other prizes to be won. Typically, we assign panel members no more than one survey per week. On average, panel members complete two to three surveys per month with durations of 10 to 15 minutes per survey. An additional incentive is usually provided for longer surveys.
Of the 5,285 cases completing the main survey, 5,285 cases were determined to be valid cases to be included in the final analyses.Email reminders were sent to non-responders on day three of the field period.
Beyond the standard email reminder on day three of the field period, an additional email reminder was sent to non-responders on day six of the field period.
Sampling Procedures
The target population consisted of non-institutionalized adults age 20 through 65, residing in the United States, who are English-language survey-takers.To sample the population, Ipsos sampled households from its KnowledgePanel, a probability-based web panel designed to be representative of the United States. The survey consisted of a main survey with the study-eligible respondents. To qualify for the main survey, a panel member must have been between age 20 and 65; as determined by KnowledgePanel Profile Data.
