EXAMPLE 7 The General Social Survey

Social science research makes heavy use of sampling. The General Social Survey (GSS), carried out every second year by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, is the most important social science sample survey. The variables cover the subject’s personal and family background, experiences and habits, and attitudes and opinions on subjects from abortion to war.

Population: Adults (aged 18 and over) living in households in the United States. The population does not include adults in institutions such as prisons and college dormitories. It also does not include persons who cannot be interviewed in English.

Sample: About 3000 adults interviewed in person in their homes.