In this episode of Total Survey Design, Dr. Azdren Coma and Dr. Seon Yup Lee interview Dr. Jon Krosnick, a leading expert on political behavior, survey methodology, and public opinion. Dr. Krosnick is a professor at Stanford University who has advised the U.S. Census Bureau, led national studies on voting behavior and climate change, and published extensively on how people form attitudes and make decisions.

Recorded at the historic St. Louis Union Station Hotel during the 2025 AAPOR conference, this conversation covers Dr. Krosnick’s career path, the role of mentorship, and his research on trust and measurement validity. The episode also addresses broader topics in academia, such as the pressures of publishing, the importance of constructive feedback, and the value of humility and replication in science.

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In this episode I sat down with Thom to talk about surveys. We talked about his time at the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center, working with Don Dillman on various projects including the 2000 U.S. Census, some of his favorite projects, my dissertation survey, the application of the Tailored Design Method on a wide variety of cultures, and much more.

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In this episode, we do a small retrospective on the first season. We also look ahead to see what is to come. We also give a call to action, seeking your support to ensure that this project continues to exist into the future.

If you would like to support us, you can do so by visiting our Ko-fi page at:

https://ko-fi.com/totalsurveydesign

Thank you.

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In this episode, we explore essential considerations for crafting effective surveys. We begin by emphasizing the importance of defining the purpose of your survey, which serves as a guide through each step of its creation. We discuss how understanding your main goal—whether it's measuring customer satisfaction or academic variables—shapes your questions and improves data quality. Additionally, we highlight the significance of knowing your target population, budget, and timeframe. By the episode's end, we offer practical advice on streamlining your survey to avoid unnecessary questions, reduce costs, and enhance response quality. Join us to learn how to design your survey with precision and purpose.

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In this episode, we discuss the target population. We emphasize the importance of a well-defined target population, in context of the goal of your survey, and in relation to your sampling frame. We offer examples of target populations of various studies, and offer suggestions for the types of variables that you may want to consider when thinking about your target population.

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In this episode, we interview James McCall, a survey methodologist at Westat. James shares what first drew him to surveys, and what drove him into a career of surveys. We talk about his role as a survey methodologist in industry. We discuss cognitive testing, data scripts, and other elements of the art and science of survey design. We also discuss our pet-peeves, such as matrix questions, check-all-that-apply questions, pre-testing, having too-short timelines, and more. James also shares advice for social scientists who are interested in pursuing a career in survey methodology.

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In this episode, we explore the key design elements of effective surveys, emphasizing the importance of user-friendly experiences and reliable data collection. But first, in our free talk segment we discuss the compensation structure of the YouGov platform.

Then, we highlight practical tips like strategic question ordering, clear language use, and consistent visual design. Additionally, the episode discusses behavioral aspects such as the appropriate use of forced responses and fair uses of attention checks to maintain respondent engagement without compromising data quality.

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In this episode, we introduce a new free talk segment, where we discuss and celebrate Seon Yup's new job as chief survey methodologist at Kansas State University. We then explore why many people distrust surveys and some things we can do to regain their trust. We discuss key issues like sensitive topics, the impact of interviewer identity, and the prevalence of poorly designed surveys that fail to effect change. We also provide tips on recognizing legitimate surveys, emphasizing secure and ethically conducted inquiries.

Support the show

Find us online at: instagram.com/totalsurveydesign/
https://taplink.cc/totalsurveydesign
Contact us at: totalsurveydesign@gmail.com