Pew Research Center

Pew Research Center. The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan American think tank based in Washington, D.C., known for its rigorous, data-driven research on a wide array of issues shaping the United States and the world. It provides information on public opinion, demographic trends, and the impact of social media and digital technology on society. The center does not take policy positions, aiming instead to inform the public and policymakers with objective, high-quality data and analysis.

History and founding

The center was established in 2004 as a successor to projects originally initiated by The Pew Charitable Trusts, a major philanthropic organization. Its founding director was Andrew Kohut, a renowned pollster who had previously led the Gallup Organization and founded the Times Mirror Center for the People & the Press. Under Kohut's leadership, the center evolved from a project focused primarily on journalism and media studies into a comprehensive research institution. The creation of the center as an independent entity was part of a strategic shift by The Pew Charitable Trusts to separate its advocacy work from its non-advocacy, informational research initiatives, solidifying its commitment to nonpartisan fact-finding.

Research areas and methodology

The center conducts empirical social science research across several core domains, employing a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative techniques. Its major research areas include U.S. Politics & Policy, analyzing partisan polarization and elections; Journalism & Media, tracking the state of news media and news consumption habits; Internet & Technology, studying the societal impact of digital technology; Religion & Public Life, conducted through its Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life; Hispanic Trends; Global Attitudes & Trends, comparing views across nations; and Social & Demographic Trends, examining changes in family and work life. Methodologically, it is renowned for its large-scale public opinion polling, often conducted in partnership with organizations like NORC at the University of Chicago, and its extensive demographic analysis using data from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau.

Publications and reports

The center disseminates its findings through a steady stream of freely accessible reports, data sets, and interactive features on its website. Its flagship publications include comprehensive studies such as "The Future of World Religions" and "America's Changing Religious Landscape." It regularly releases influential reports on topics like political polarization, the rise of social media platforms, and global attitudes toward major powers like the United States and China. The center also produces shorter fact sheets, blog analyses, and daily newsletters. Its data is frequently cited by major news organizations including The New York Times, BBC News, and CNN, and is used by academics, researchers, and policymakers worldwide.

Influence and reception

The Pew Research Center is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative and influential sources of nonpartisan data on social and political trends. Its work is extensively cited in academia, journalism, and policy debates within institutions like the U.S. Congress and the White House. While generally praised for its methodological rigor and transparency, some scholars and commentators have occasionally critiqued specific survey questions or methodological choices, as is common in the field of survey methodology. Its reputation for neutrality allows its findings to be utilized across the political spectrum, making it a critical resource for understanding contemporary societal shifts.

Organization and funding

The center is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization classified as a 501(c)(3) under the U.S. tax code. It is led by a president, a position held since 2014 by Michael Dimock. While it was created and initially funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the center operates as a separate entity. Its primary financial support comes from The Pew Charitable Trusts, but it also receives funding from foundations such as the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and other charitable organizations. The center explicitly states that it does not accept funding from political parties, lobbying firms, or any source that would compromise its nonpartisanship, and all research is conducted independently of its donors.

Category:Research institutes in the United States Category:Think tanks based in Washington, D.C. Category:Organizations established in 2004