Public Opinion Quarterly

Public Opinion Quarterly
Title	Public Opinion Quarterly
Discipline	Political science; survey research
Abbreviation	POQ
Publisher	Oxford University Press for the American Association for Public Opinion Research
Country	United States
Frequency	Quarterly
History	1937–present
Issn	0033-362X

Contents

Public Opinion Quarterly Public Opinion Quarterly is a peer-reviewed academic journal focusing on survey research, public opinion polling, and empirical studies of attitudes. Founded in 1937, it has published methodological innovations, empirical analyses, and debates influential for practitioners associated with organizations like the American Association for Public Opinion Research, the Pew Research Center, the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, and the National Opinion Research Center. Articles often intersect with work by scholars affiliated with institutions such as University of Michigan, Harvard University, Stanford University, Columbia University, and London School of Economics.

History

The journal was established in 1937 amid growth in mass polling led by figures connected to George Gallup and Elmo Roper, and institutions including the Literary Digest and the American Institute of Public Opinion. Early editorial leadership included contributors from Princeton University, University of Chicago, and the Brookings Institution. During the mid-20th century the journal published research relevant to events like the 1936 United States presidential election, the 1948 United States presidential election, and postwar opinion studies concerning the United Nations and the Marshall Plan. In subsequent decades it reflected methodological shifts linked to work by researchers at National Bureau of Economic Research, Institute for Social Research (University of Michigan), and the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. The journal adapted to technological and theoretical change with articles addressing computerized interviewing used by organizations such as RAND Corporation and survey sampling methods influenced by scholars at Columbia University and London School of Economics.

The journal publishes articles on measurement, sampling, nonresponse, weighting, questionnaire design, and modes of data collection as practiced by groups like the Pew Research Center, the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, and the World Values Survey. It covers applied research on electoral behavior tied to cases such as the 1992 United States presidential election, Brexit referendum, and comparative studies involving the European Union and United Nations member states. Methodological advances reported in the journal have implications for work by the National Opinion Research Center, the Gallup Organization, and polling firms advising campaigns in states like Florida and Ohio. Interdisciplinary intersections appear with scholars from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, and University of California, Berkeley.

The journal is published quarterly by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Association for Public Opinion Research. Its editorial board has included scholars from Harvard University, Stanford University, Princeton University, and University of Michigan. Peer review is blind and overseen by an editor and associate editors drawn from institutions such as Columbia University, London School of Economics, University of Chicago, and Duke University. Each issue typically contains original research articles, methodological notes, book reviews referencing works from presses like Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press, and occasional symposia tied to conferences such as meetings of the American Political Science Association and the International Statistical Institute.

Seminal articles in the journal have addressed measurement error, question wording effects demonstrated in studies influenced by Stanley Presser and Howard Schuman, and developments in turnout measurement relevant to analysis of contests like the 2000 United States presidential election. Papers introducing innovations in imputation, weighting, and small-area estimation have been cited by practitioners at the Census Bureau, Pew Research Center, and National Opinion Research Center. Cross-national comparative pieces drawing on the European Social Survey and the World Values Survey have influenced policymaking discussions within European Commission analytic units and advisory bodies at the United Nations Development Programme. The journal’s impact extends into textbooks and handbooks produced by editors at Sage Publications and Cambridge University Press.

The journal is indexed in major services used by researchers at ProQuest, JSTOR, Scopus, and the Social Sciences Citation Index. Libraries at institutions such as Harvard University Library, British Library, Library of Congress, and university consortia including the California Digital Library provide archival access. Citation metrics tracked by entities like Clarivate and databases maintained by Elsevier reflect the journal’s role in fields associated with polling organizations including Gallup and Pew Research Center.

Articles published in the journal have received awards and recognition from the American Association for Public Opinion Research, honors named for figures like George Gallup and Morris Fiorina, and citations in prizewinning work recognized by organizations such as the American Political Science Association and the Society for Political Methodology. Special issues and methodological contributions have been highlighted at conferences sponsored by the International Association for Survey Statisticians and the Royal Statistical Society.

Category:Academic journals