Survey of Common Cause members, 1981
By: principal investigator, Jonathan W. Siegel
Series: ICPSR -- 8632; ICPSR (Series) -- 8632
Publisher: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor
Published: 1981
Place of publication: Ann Arbor, Mich
Language: und
Format: [computer file] :
Subjects: Public opinion; Political participation; Common Cause (U.S.)
Description: The purpose of this data collection was to explore the political, social, and personal factors that facilitate or hinder participation in a political group like Common Cause. Primarily designed to examine political participation and the role of voluntary associations, the study also was stimulated by the growing literature on the role of incentives and self-interest in organizational life and political participation. The three sections of the questionnaire focused on: (1) Common Cause, including the respondent's reasons for joining, participation in internal activities, knowledge of the group's position on important issues, and activities on behalf of the group, (2) the respondent's views on national issues and political institutions, and (3) respondent's social background (including education, income, ethnicity, employment, age, and sex) and participation in partisan and non-partisan activities besides Common Cause. These data permit a comparison of rank-and-file members of Common Cause with those identified as activists in the organization.
Notes: ICPSR data class: Class III.

Chronological coverage: October 1981-January 1982. Data collected: October 1981-January 1982.

Mail surveys.

Survey data.

United States.

National Science Foundation. SES-8105708.

Card image data format. While the data are in card image format, they do not contain a card number variable. Respondent's state and congressional district of residence, and variables providing detailed information regarding activity within Common Cause have been collapsed into three summary variables for reasons of confidentiality.

Machine-readable documentation.

Part number: 1 ; file structure: rectangular ; case count: 1,236 ; variable count: 192 ; LRECL: 80 ; records per case: 3.

Stratified random sample.

Universe: 1. All Common Cause members listed on membership rolls. 2. Individuals identified as activists in Common Cause records.