This paper describes and evaluates the 1985 Pilot Study experimental questions relating to respondents' congressional representatives. Jacobson argues that the traditional wording should be retained to preserve survey continuity. The traditional question gauging agreement or disagreement with members' votes should be replaced by the experimental question series measuring congressional action on issues important to the respondent. The questions that ask respondents to identify congressional positions held by their representatives should not be included in future surveys.
Few respondents volunteer answers and even fewer give accurate replies.
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