State of the First Amendment Survey, 2002 - Codebook

All Frequencies weighted by 6) WEIGHT;
(The number of missing cases reported in the codebook are unweighted)

1) Sequential Record ID (CASEID)

	N	Mean	Std. Deviation
Total	977	490.60	290.20

2) Age category for weight (WGTAGE)

	TOTAL	%
1) 18-24	128	13.2
2) 25-44	395	40.9
3) 45-64	287	29.7
4) 65+	156	16.1
Missing	12
Total	966	100.0

3) Education category for weight (WGTEDUC)

	TOTAL	%
1) Less than high school	472	48.3
2) Some college	277	28.4
3) College graduate	225	23.0
99) Missing	3	0.3
Missing	1
Total	977	100.0

4) Sex category for weight (WGTSEX)

	TOTAL	%
1) Male	467	47.9
2) Female	509	52.2
Missing	1
Total	976	100.0

5) Class category for weight (WGTCLAS)

	TOTAL	%
111) Male 18-24, Less than high school/High school graduate/some college	60	6.2
113) Male 18-24, College graduate/post-graduate	4	0.4
121) Male 25-44, Less than high school/high school graduate	89	9.3
122) Male 25-44, Some college	51	5.3
123) Male 25-44, College graduate/post-graduate	54	5.6
131) Male 45-64, Less than high school/high school graduate	61	6.3
132) Male 45-64, Some college	35	3.7
133) Male 45-64, College graduate/post-graduate	42	4.4
141) Male 65+, Less than high school/high school graduate	40	4.2
142) Male 65+, Some college	12	1.2
143) Male 65+, College graduate/post-graduate	14	1.5
211) Female 18-24, Less than high school/high school graduate/some college	57	5.9
213) Female 18-24, College graduate/post-graduate	6	0.6
221) Female 25-44, Less than high school/high school graduate	84	8.8
222) Female 25-44, Some college	60	6.2
223) Female 25-44, College graduate/post-graduate	56	5.8
231) Female 45-64, Less than high school/high school graduate	73	7.6
232) Female 45-64, Some college	38	4.0
233) Female 45-64, College graduate/post-graduate	37	3.8
241) Female 65+, Less than high school/high school graduate	63	6.6
242) Female 65+, Some college	16	1.7
243) Female 65+, College graduate/post-graduate	10	1.1
Missing	14
Total	962	100.0

6) Weight (WEIGHT)

	N	Mean	Std. Deviation
Total	1,000	0.98	0.53

7) Respondent's age (AGE)

	N	Mean	Std. Deviation
Total	976	55.93	102.15

8) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? (PROBE: Are there any others you can name?) Mentioned freedom of the press. (Recode 1) (SPECRTS1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Yes	134	13.7
2) No	844	86.3
Total	978	100.0

9) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? Mentioned freedom of speech. (Recode 2) (SPECRTS2)

	TOTAL	%
1) Yes	566	57.9
2) No	412	42.1
Total	978	100.0

10) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? Mentioned freedom of religion. (Recode 3) (SPECRTS3)

	TOTAL	%
1) Yes	173	17.8
2) No	804	82.3
Total	977	100.0

11) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? Mentioned freedom to petition. (Recode 4) (SPECRTS4)

	TOTAL	%
1) Yes	20	2.0
2) No	958	97.9
Total	978	100.0

12) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? Mentioned freedom to assemble. (Recode 5) (SPECRTS5)

	TOTAL	%
1) Yes	96	9.8
2) No	881	90.2
Total	977	100.0

13) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? Mentioned another freedom. (Recode 6) (SPECRTS0)

	TOTAL	%
1) Yes	184	18.9
2) No	793	81.2
Total	977	100.0

14) The First Amendment became part of the U.S. Constitution more than 200 years ago. This is what it says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Based on your own feelings about the First Amendment, please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: The First Amendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees.(Probe: Do you agree/disagree strongly or mildly?)[Recode] (FSTOOFR1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Agree	479	48.9
2) Disagree	465	47.6
98) Don't know	0	0.0
99) Refused	34	3.4
Total	978	100.0

15) Now please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Newpapers should be allowed to freely criticize the U.S. military about its strategy and performance. (PROBE: strongly or mildly?)[Recode 1] (PRSMIL1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Agree	549	56.1
2) Disagree	414	42.3
98) Don't know	13	1.4
99) Refused	2	0.2
Total	978	100.0

16) Even though the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of the press, government has placed some restrictions on it. Overall, do you think Americans have too much press freedom, too little press freedom, or is the amount of press freedom in America about right? (Recode 1) (FREEPRS1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Too much	325	33.3
2) Too little	129	13.2
3) Right amount	502	51.5
98) Don't know	0	0.0
99) Refused	20	2.1
Total	976	100.0

17) Overall, do you think the press in America has too much freedom to do what it wants, too little freedom to do what it wants, or is the amount of freedom the press has about right? (RSTFRPR1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Too much	409	41.9
2) Too little	74	7.6
3) Right amount	480	49.1
98) Don't know	0	0.0
99) Refused	14	1.4
Total	977	100.0

18) Even though the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, government has placed some restrictions on it. Overall, do you think Americans have too much freedom to speak freely, too little freedom to speak freely, or is the amount of freedom to speak freely about right? (Recode 1) (RSTFRSP1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Too much	99	10.1
2) Too little	208	21.2
3) Right amount	658	67.2
99) Refused	13	1.3
Total	978	100.0

19) Even though the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, government has placed some restrictions on it. Overall, do you think Americans have too much religious freedom, too little religious freedom, or is the amount of religious freedom about right? (Recode 1) (RSTFRRL1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Too much	62	6.3
2) Too little	197	20.2
3) Right amount	682	69.8
99) Refused	36	3.7
Total	977	100.0

20) Now please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. People should be allowed to express unpopular opinions. (Recode 1) (UNPOPOP1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Strongly agree	658	67.2
2) Mildly agree	263	26.9
3) Mildly disagree	37	3.8
4) Strongly disagree	18	1.8
99) Refused	2	0.2
Total	978	100.0

21) Some people feel that the U.S. Constitution should be amended to make it illegal to burn or desecrate the American flag as a form of political dissent. Others say that the U.S. Constitution should not be amended to specifically prohibit flag burning or desecration. Do you think the U.S. Constitution should or should not be amended to prohibit burning or desecrating the American flag? (Recode 1) (FLAGBRN1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Should not	500	51.2
2) Should	454	46.5
99) Refused	23	2.4
Total	977	100.0

22) Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement. In the interest of national security, government should be able to monitor religious groups even if that means infringing upon the religious freedom of the group's members. (GVMONREL)

	TOTAL	%
1) Strongly agree	248	25.4
2) Mildly agree	228	23.4
3) Mildly disagree	183	18.8
4) Strong disagree	272	27.8
98) Don't know	33	3.4
99) Refused	12	1.2
Missing	1
Total	976	100.0

23) In light of the government's war on terrorism in response to the World Trade Center attacks, some people think that the government should have more power to monitor the activities of Muslims legally living in the United States than it has to monitor other religious groups. Others say that monitoring Muslims more closely than others would violate the Muslims' right to free exercise of their religion. Which of these comes closest to your own opinion? (Recode 2) (MONACTS1)

	TOTAL	%
1) More power to monitor Muslims	406	41.6
2) Different treatment violates rights	486	49.8
98) Don't know	73	7.5
99) Refused	11	1.2
Missing	1
Total	976	100.0

24) Respondent's age (Recoded into categories) (AGECAT)

	TOTAL	%
1) 18-30	221	22.7
2) 31-44	301	30.8
3) 45-61	260	26.6
4) 62+	183	18.8
999) Don't know/Refused	11	1.1
Missing	1
Total	976	100.0

25) What was the last grade of school you completed? Grade school or less, some high school, high school, some college, college grad, post graduate.(Recode 1) (EDUC1)

	TOTAL	%
1) High School or less	472	48.3
2) Some College/Trade School	277	28.4
3) College or more	225	23.0
99) Refused	3	0.3
Missing	1
Total	977	100.0

26) Are you White, Black, Hispanic, Asian or something else? (Recode 1) (RACE1)

	TOTAL	%
1) White	779	79.7
2) Non-white	178	18.2
99) Refused	20	2.0
Missing	1
Total	977	100.0

27) For classification purposes only, what is the total yearly income of all the members of your family now living at home? (YRINCOM1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Under $10,000	80	8.2
2) $10,000 to $20,000	143	14.7
3) $20,000 to $30,000	124	12.7
4) $30,000 to $40,000	99	10.2
5) $40,000 to $50,000	119	12.2
6) $50,000 to $75,000	162	16.6
7) $75,000 to $100,000	91	9.3
8) $100,000 or more	91	9.3
99) Don't know/Refused	67	6.8
Missing	1
Total	976	100.0

28) In politics today, are you a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent or what? (Recode 1) (POLAFF1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Democrat	304	35.1
2) Republican	292	33.7
3) Independent	246	28.4
99) Don't know/Refused	24	2.8
Missing	96
Total	866	100.0

29) Region 2 (REGION)

	TOTAL	%
1) Northeast	194	19.8
2) Midwest	244	25.0
3) South	339	34.7
4) West	201	20.5
Total	978	100.0

30) [Follow-up if "Yes, have children under the age of 18":] Do you have any children under the age of 12? (KIDS12)

	TOTAL	%
1) Yes	269	76.1
2) No	85	23.9
Missing	658
Total	354	100.0

31) [Follow-up if "Yes, have children under the age of 12":] Do you have any children under the age of 6? (KIDS6)

	TOTAL	%
1) Yes	166	47.0
2) No	188	53.0
99) Don't know/Refused	0	0.0
Missing	658
Total	354	100.0

32) What year were you born? (Recoded) (BIRTHYR)

	N	Mean	Std. Deviation
Total	965	1,956.82	17.15

33) What was the last grade of school you completed? Grade school or less, some high school, high school, some college, college grad, post graduate. (EDUC)

	TOTAL	%
1) Grade school or less	13	1.3
2) Some high school	84	8.6
3) High school	375	38.4
4) Trade school (volunteered)	17	1.7
5) Some college	260	26.6
6) College graduate	141	14.4
7) Post graduate	84	8.6
99) Don't know/Refused	3	0.3
Missing	1
Total	977	100.0

34) Are you White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, or something else? (RACE)

	TOTAL	%
1) White	779	79.7
2) Black	82	8.4
3) Hispanic	35	3.6
4) Asian	11	1.1
5) Bi-Racial (Volunteered)	9	0.9
6) Other	41	4.2
99) Don't know/Refused	20	2.0
Missing	1
Total	977	100.0

35) For classification purposes only, is the total yearly income of all the members of your family now living at home $40,000 or more, or would it be less than $40,000? (Questions 51a through c recoded into 51x.) (YRINCOM)

	TOTAL	%
1) Less than $40,000	399	40.8
2) $40,000 or more	511	52.3
99) Don't know/Refused	67	6.8
Missing	1
Total	977	100.0

36) For classification purposes only, is the total yearly income of all the members of your family now living at home $40,000 or more, or would it be less than $40,000? And that is... (YRINCMP1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Under $10,000	46	11.6
2) $10,000 to less than $20,000	95	23.9
3) $20,000 to less than $30,000	124	31.1
4) $30,000 to less than $40,000	99	25.0
99) Don't know/Refused	34	8.5
Missing	658
Total	398	100.0

37) For classification purposes only, is the total yearly income of all the members of your family now living at home $40,000 or more, or would it be less than $40,000? And that is... (YRINCMP2)

	TOTAL	%
1) $40,000 to less than $50,000	119	23.3
2) $50,000 to less than $75,000	162	31.8
3) $75,000 to less than $100,000	91	17.8
4) $100,000 or more	91	17.7
99) Don't know/Refused	48	9.4
Missing	405
Total	511	100.0

38) Are you Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, or some other religion? (RELIGION)

	TOTAL	%
1) Catholic	230	23.5
2) Protestant	262	26.8
3) Jewish	16	1.6
4) Other (specify)	335	34.2
5) None (vol)	103	10.5
99) Don't know/Refused	31	3.2
Missing	1
Total	977	100.0

39) Would you describe yourself as either a Fundamentalist or Evangelical Christian, or would you not describe yourself that way? (TYPCHRS)

	TOTAL	%
1) Fundamentalist/Evangelical	194	20.9
2) Neither	606	65.1
3) Not sure (volunteered)	99	10.6
99) Don't know/Refused	31	3.3
Missing	61
Total	930	100.0

40) In politics, today, are you a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent or what? (Recode 1) (POLAFF)

	TOTAL	%
1) Democrat	304	31.1
2) Republican	292	29.9
3) Independent	246	25.2
4) No preference (volunteered)	86	8.8
5) Other (volunteered)	25	2.5
99) Don't know/Refused	24	2.5
Missing	1
Total	977	100.0

41) Do you have any children under the age of 18? (KIDS)

	TOTAL	%
1) Yes	354	36.3
2) No	617	63.2
99) Don't know/Refused	5	0.5
Missing	1
Total	976	100.0

42) Respondent's sex: (SEX)

	TOTAL	%
1) Male	467	47.9
2) Female	509	52.2
Missing	1
Total	976	100.0

43) Overall, do you think the press in America has too much freedom to do what it wants, too little freedom to do what it wants, or is the amount of freedom the press has about right? (FREEPRS)

	TOTAL	%
1) Too much freedom	500	51.2
2) Too little freedom	454	46.5
99) Don't know/Refused	23	2.4
Total	977	100.0

44) Overall, do you think the press in America has too much freedom to do what it wants, too little freedom to do what it wants, or is the amount of freedom the press has about right? (RSTFRPR)

	TOTAL	%
1) Too much freedom	379	83.5
2) Too little freedom	67	14.7
99) Don't know/Refused	8	1.8
Missing	560
Total	454	100.0

45) Now please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Newspapers should be allowed to publish freely without government approval of a story. (PUBLISH)

	TOTAL	%
1) Strongly agree	51	5.2
2) Mildly agree	253	25.9
3) Mildly disagree	338	34.7
4) Strongly disagree	272	27.9
99) Don't know/Refused	62	6.4
Missing	1
Total	976	100.0

46) Now please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Newspapers should be allowed to freely criticize the U.S military about its strategy and performance. (PROBE: strongly or mildly?) (CRITMIL)

	TOTAL	%
1) Strongly agree	34	3.5
2) Mildly agree	514	52.6
3) Mildly disagree	394	40.3
99) Refused	35	3.6
Missing	1
Total	977	100.0

47) Some people believe that the media has too much freedom to publish whatever it wants. Others believe there is too much government censorship. Which of these beliefs lies closest to your own? (FRMPRS)

	TOTAL	%
1) There is too much media freedom	504	52.8
2) There is too much government censorship	178	18.6
3) Neither (volunteered)	114	11.9
4) Both (volunteered)	159	16.7
99) Don't know/Refused	1	0.1
Missing	21
Total	956	100.0

48) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? (PROBE: Are there any others you can name?) Mentioned freedom of the press. (Recode 1) (SPCRTS)

	TOTAL	%
1) Freedom of the press	976	100.0
Missing	1
Total	976	100.0

49) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? Mentioned freedom of speech. (Recode 2) (SPCRTS1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Freedom of the press	325	33.3
2) Freedom of speech	332	34.0
3) Freedom of religion	124	12.6
4) Right to petition	174	17.8
99) Don't know/Refused	22	2.2
Missing	1
Total	977	100.0

50) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? Mentioned freedom of religion. (Recode 3) (SPCRTS2)

	TOTAL	%
1) Freedom of the press	290	30.3
2) Freedom of speech	348	36.4
3) Freedom of religion	117	12.3
4) Right to petition	187	19.6
99) Don't know/Refused	14	1.4
Missing	21
Total	956	100.0

51) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? Mentioned freedom to petition. (Recode 4) (SPCRTS3)

	TOTAL	%
1) Freedom of the press	977	100.0
Total	977	100.0

52) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? Mentioned freedom to assemble. (Recode 5) (SPCRTS4)

	TOTAL	%
1) Freedom of the press	81	8.7
2) Freedom of speech	470	50.8
3) Freedom of religion	372	40.1
99) Don't know/Refused	3	0.4
Missing	55
Total	926	100.0

53) As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment? Mentioned another freedom. (Recode 6) (SPCRTS5)

	TOTAL	%
1) Freedom of the press	152	16.6
2) Freedom of speech	390	42.6
3) Freedom of religion	369	40.4
99) Don't know/Refused	4	0.4
Missing	66
Total	915	100.0

54) The First Amendment became part of the U.S. Constitution more than 200 years ago. This is what it says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Based on your own feelings about the First Amendment, please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: The First Amendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees. (Recode 1) (Probe: Do you agree/disagree strongly or mildly?) (FSTOOFAR)

	TOTAL	%
1) Strongly agree	589	62.5
2) Mildly agree	31	3.3
3) Mildly disagree	323	34.3
99) Refused	0	0.0
Missing	36
Total	943	100.0

55) The US Constitution protects certain rights, but not everyone considers each right important. I am going to read you some rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. For each, please tell me how important it is that you have that right. First, how important is it that you have the right to assemble, petition, march, protest or petition the government? (ESSNRT1)

	TOTAL	%
1) Essential	632	69.8
2) Important, but not essential	221	24.4
3) Not important	50	5.6
99) Refused	2	0.2
Missing	75
Total	905	100.0

56) The U.S. Constitution protects certain rights, but not everyone considers each right important. I am going to read you some rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. For each, please tell me how important it is that you have that right. First how important is it that you have the right to speak freely about whatever you want? (ESSNRT2)

	TOTAL	%
1) Essential	778	83.7
2) Important, but not essential	124	13.4
3) Not important	26	2.8
99) Refused	2	0.2
Missing	46
Total	930	100.0

57) The U.S. Constitution protects certain rights, but not everyone considers each right important. I am going to read you some rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. For each, please tell me how important it is that you have that right. First how important is it that you have the right to practice the religion of your choice? (ESSNRT3)

	TOTAL	%
1) Essential	522	59.7
2) Important, but not essential	258	29.4
3) Not important	95	10.8
99) Refused	0	0.0
Missing	107
Total	875	100.0

58) The U.S. Constitution protects certain rights, but not everyone considers each right important. I am going to read you some rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. For each, please tell me how important it is that you have that right. First how important is it that you have the right to practice no religion? (ESSNTT4)

	TOTAL	%
1) Essential	705	74.9
2) Important, but not essential	206	21.9
3) Not important	31	3.3
99) Refused	0	0.0
Missing	26
Total	942	100.0

59) The U.S. Constitution protects certain rights, but not everyone considers each right important. I am going to read you some rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. For each, please tell me how important it is that you have that right. First how important is it that you have the right to be informed by a free press? (ESSNRT5)

	TOTAL	%
1) Essential	803	84.6
2) Important, but not essential	127	13.4
3) Not important	19	2.0
99) Refused	0	0.0
Missing	23
Total	949	100.0

60) The U.S. Constitution protects certain rights, but not everyone considers each right important. I am going to read you some rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. For each, please tell me how important it is that you have that right. First how important is it that you have the right to own firearms? (ESSNRT6)

	TOTAL	%
1) Essential	414	49.1
2) Important, but not essential	285	33.9
3) Not important	142	16.8
99) Refused	2	0.2
Missing	123
Total	843	100.0

61) The U.S. Constitution protects certain rights, but not everyone considers each right important. I am going to read you some rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. For each, please tell me how important it is that you have that right. First how important is it that you have the right to privacy? (ESSNRT7)

	TOTAL	%
1) Essential	417	49.3
2) Important, but not essential	277	32.8
3) Not important	151	17.9
99) Refused	2	0.2
Missing	116
Total	847	100.0

62) Respondent's age (Recoded for use with online analysis) (I-AGE)

	TOTAL	%
1) 18-24	128	13.2
2) 25-44	395	40.9
3) 45-64	287	29.7
4) 65+	156	16.1
Missing	12
Total	966	100.0

63) What was the last grade of school you completed? Grade school or less, some high school, high school, some college, college grad, post graduate.(Recode 1) (Recoded for use with online analysis) (I-EDUC)

	TOTAL	%
1) High School or less	472	48.4
2) Some College/Trade School	277	28.5
3) College or more	225	23.1
Missing	4
Total	974	100.0

64) Respondent's sex: (for use with online analysis) (I-GENDER)

	TOTAL	%
1) Male	467	47.9
2) Female	509	52.2
Missing	1
Total	976	100.0

65) For classification purposes only, what is the total yearly income of all the members of your family now living at home? (Recoded for use with online analysis) (I-INCOME)

	TOTAL	%
1) Less than $30,000	348	38.2
2) $30,000 to $40,000	99	10.9
3) $40,000 to $50,000	119	13.1
4) $50,000 to $75,000	162	17.8
5) $75,000 to $100,000	91	10.0
6) $100,000 or more	91	10.0
Missing	63
Total	910	100.0

66) Are you White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, or something else? (Recoded for use with online analysis) (I-RACE)

	TOTAL	%
1) White	779	81.4
2) Black	82	8.6
3) Hispanic	35	3.6
4) Asian	11	1.2
5) Bi-Racial (Volunteered)	9	0.9
6) Other	41	4.3
Missing	23
Total	957	100.0

67) Are you Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, or some other religion? (Recoded for use with online analysis) (I-RELIGION)

	TOTAL	%
1) Catholic	230	24.3
2) Protestant	262	27.7
3) Jewish	16	1.6
4) Other (specify)	335	35.4
5) None (vol)	103	10.9
Missing	38
Total	946	100.0