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The Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) at Vanderbilt University is a center for excellence in international survey research that uses rigorous scientific approaches and innovative methods to carry out studies of public opinion and behavior. [source: lapop] LAPOP’s largest survey research project is the AmericasBarometer, a regular study of public opinion in 34 countries in the Western Hemisphere, with stratified nationally representative samples drawn in each country, a common questionnaire core, and country-specific modules. [source: lapop] LAPOP’s work on the AmericasBarometer includes questionnaire development, sample design, qualitative and iterative pre-testing, data auditing, and analysis and reporting. [source: lapop]
Alongside the use of electronic devices and specialized software for fieldwork, LAPOP employs a proprietary quality control program, which improves the tracking of response rates, prevents location errors in the sample, prevents fraud, and increases interview quality. [source: lapop] LAPOP’s origins date to the 1970s, in path-breaking research conducted by public opinion and survey expert Dr. Mitchell Seligson. [source: lapop] Today LAPOP is directed by Dr. Elizabeth Zechmeister, in collaboration with Dr. Seligson (Senior Advisor), Dr. Noam Lupu (Associate Director), and a team of professional staff. [source: lapop] LAPOP collaborates with a broad network of scholars, universities, and institutions across the Americas. [source: lapop]
External evaluations affirm LAPOP’s status as a world leader in survey methods and research. [source: lapop] A 2012/13 USAID-commissioned external evaluation of LAPOP concluded that “LAPOP has been a leader in the use of survey technology” and its “methodology adheres to the highest professional standards.” [source: lapop]
Use it for
A campaigner uses LAPOP to access high-quality, scientifically rigorous public opinion data from across the Western Hemisphere, particularly through the AmericasBarometer. [source: lapop] This data can inform campaign strategies by providing reliable insights into public attitudes and behaviors in 34 countries, with nationally representative samples and a common questionnaire core that allows for cross-country comparisons. [source: lapop] The proprietary quality control program ensures the data is trustworthy, making it a valuable resource for evidence-based decision-making in political campaigns. [source: lapop]