Kristen Olson
@olsonkm.bsky.social
Survey Methodologist. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Sociology Professor. Proud director of an academic survey research organization (Bureau of Sociological Research). Former Journal of Survey Statistics and Methodology Editor (2020-2024). AAPOR Devotee.
Reposted by Kristen Olson
ANES Data Release! electionstudies.org/data-center/...
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
2016-2020-2024-panel-merged-study - ANES | American National Election Studies
electionstudies.org
November 1, 2025 at 8:47 PM
ANES Data Release! electionstudies.org/data-center/...
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
New article! About a year ago, I asked ChatGPT 3.5 to calculate the reading level of survey questions. It was totally wrong. And this paper was born! Trent Buskirk and I examine multiple ChatGPT and Claude models for evaluating question reading levels & inputs.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
“ChatBot” is a Two Syllable Word...Or Is It?: Using Generative AI for Survey Question Readability Assessments - Kristen Olson, Trent D. Buskirk, 2025
Market and survey researchers aim to write survey questions so that the target population can understand them. A common recommendation for general population st...
journals.sagepub.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
New article! About a year ago, I asked ChatGPT 3.5 to calculate the reading level of survey questions. It was totally wrong. And this paper was born! Trent Buskirk and I examine multiple ChatGPT and Claude models for evaluating question reading levels & inputs.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
New paper alert! We examine the effectiveness of sending a follow-up incentive to nonrespondents after an initial prepaid incentive (a sequential incentive). Response rates increased with higher seq incentives, but costs skyrocketed with $5 vs. $1 or $2.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Will One More Dollar Help? The Effect of Sequential Incentives on Survey Participation and Costs in a Concurrent Mixed-mode Survey - Kristen Olson, Amanda Ganshert, Mia Bourek, 2025
Prepaid monetary incentives increase response rates in surveys. Whether offering a second monetary incentive to nonrespondents in web-and-mail surveys increases...
journals.sagepub.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:53 PM
New paper alert! We examine the effectiveness of sending a follow-up incentive to nonrespondents after an initial prepaid incentive (a sequential incentive). Response rates increased with higher seq incentives, but costs skyrocketed with $5 vs. $1 or $2.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Kristen Olson
Survey costs drive almost every data collection decision, but are woefully understudied. @aapor.bsky.social, @amstatnews.bsky.social, and @westatofficial.bsky.social are cosponsoring this important workshop on Survey Costs in February 2026! Submit your abstract today!
aapor.org/aapor-2026-s...
aapor.org/aapor-2026-s...
2026 Survey Costs Workshop - AAPOR
aapor.org
October 12, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Survey costs drive almost every data collection decision, but are woefully understudied. @aapor.bsky.social, @amstatnews.bsky.social, and @westatofficial.bsky.social are cosponsoring this important workshop on Survey Costs in February 2026! Submit your abstract today!
aapor.org/aapor-2026-s...
aapor.org/aapor-2026-s...
Survey costs drive almost every data collection decision, but are woefully understudied. @aapor.bsky.social, @amstatnews.bsky.social, and @westatofficial.bsky.social are cosponsoring this important workshop on Survey Costs in February 2026! Submit your abstract today!
aapor.org/aapor-2026-s...
aapor.org/aapor-2026-s...
2026 Survey Costs Workshop - AAPOR
aapor.org
October 12, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Survey costs drive almost every data collection decision, but are woefully understudied. @aapor.bsky.social, @amstatnews.bsky.social, and @westatofficial.bsky.social are cosponsoring this important workshop on Survey Costs in February 2026! Submit your abstract today!
aapor.org/aapor-2026-s...
aapor.org/aapor-2026-s...
I'm teaching a research ethics class for upper division undergraduates this semester. Looking for case study examples of ethical issues that aren't the BIG ones (e.g., Tuskegee, Milgram, Zimbardo) in a digestible form for undergrads (news articles, podcasts, videos, shorter articles).
August 12, 2025 at 12:48 AM
I'm teaching a research ethics class for upper division undergraduates this semester. Looking for case study examples of ethical issues that aren't the BIG ones (e.g., Tuskegee, Milgram, Zimbardo) in a digestible form for undergrads (news articles, podcasts, videos, shorter articles).
It was an honor to speak in this memorial session for Don Dillman at #JSM25. Don's influences on the science of surveys are extraordinary. But the primary words that people use to describe him at his memorial are kind, generous, honest, humble, and welcoming - I think he did something extra right.
August 8, 2025 at 6:57 PM
It was an honor to speak in this memorial session for Don Dillman at #JSM25. Don's influences on the science of surveys are extraordinary. But the primary words that people use to describe him at his memorial are kind, generous, honest, humble, and welcoming - I think he did something extra right.
Reposted by Kristen Olson
@olsonkm.bsky.social kicks off our session celebrating Don Dillman at #JSM2025 with a discussion of Don’s contributions to survey methodology. Thanks to @statstas.datascience.blue for setting this up! 💯
August 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM
@olsonkm.bsky.social kicks off our session celebrating Don Dillman at #JSM2025 with a discussion of Don’s contributions to survey methodology. Thanks to @statstas.datascience.blue for setting this up! 💯
Reposted by Kristen Olson
It has been the honor of my life to serve as Commissioner of BLS alongside the many dedicated civil servants tasked with measuring a vast and dynamic economy. It is vital and important work and I thank them for their service to this nation.
August 2, 2025 at 2:18 AM
It has been the honor of my life to serve as Commissioner of BLS alongside the many dedicated civil servants tasked with measuring a vast and dynamic economy. It is vital and important work and I thank them for their service to this nation.
I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the #ESRA25 @esrasurvey.bsky.social conference last week in Utrecht. A fantastic conference all around, with great talks on data collection methods, AI, data donation, questionnaire design, and much more.
July 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the #ESRA25 @esrasurvey.bsky.social conference last week in Utrecht. A fantastic conference all around, with great talks on data collection methods, AI, data donation, questionnaire design, and much more.
Reposted by Kristen Olson
Good news! Release 1 of the 2024 GSS is available for download.
The 2024 GSS, like 2022, uses web, in-person, and phone modes. For some variables this can complicate analyses of trends. See documentation.
Still a prob sample & gold standard survey w/ high resp rates (by contemporary standards).
The 2024 GSS, like 2022, uses web, in-person, and phone modes. For some variables this can complicate analyses of trends. See documentation.
Still a prob sample & gold standard survey w/ high resp rates (by contemporary standards).
Get the Data | NORC at the University of Chicago
gss.norc.org
May 26, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Good news! Release 1 of the 2024 GSS is available for download.
The 2024 GSS, like 2022, uses web, in-person, and phone modes. For some variables this can complicate analyses of trends. See documentation.
Still a prob sample & gold standard survey w/ high resp rates (by contemporary standards).
The 2024 GSS, like 2022, uses web, in-person, and phone modes. For some variables this can complicate analyses of trends. See documentation.
Still a prob sample & gold standard survey w/ high resp rates (by contemporary standards).
Reposted by Kristen Olson
If you encounter what seems like an implausible survey finding, ask:
1. Were survey respondents selected randomly or was this an opt-in poll?
2. Could the results, especially for young adults, be driven by bogus respondents?
Keep this post in mind: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
1. Were survey respondents selected randomly or was this an opt-in poll?
2. Could the results, especially for young adults, be driven by bogus respondents?
Keep this post in mind: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
May 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM
If you encounter what seems like an implausible survey finding, ask:
1. Were survey respondents selected randomly or was this an opt-in poll?
2. Could the results, especially for young adults, be driven by bogus respondents?
Keep this post in mind: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
1. Were survey respondents selected randomly or was this an opt-in poll?
2. Could the results, especially for young adults, be driven by bogus respondents?
Keep this post in mind: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
Reposted by Kristen Olson
everything about this is simultaneously absolutely wrong and absolutely perfect
A scale for the ages. How exactly is one “a little neutral”?
May 23, 2025 at 8:41 PM
everything about this is simultaneously absolutely wrong and absolutely perfect
I give comments to my students of “what’s the denominator?” all the time!This level of precision matters not only for understanding the group about whom one is making inference, but also to suggest whether it’s the whole set of respondents or a subset of them (and all the errors therein).
A perennial tip for writing about surveys: the base population (who comprises the group that the survey question is talking about?) is SO important.
e.g. a poll finding that X% of "Americans who want to have kids" don't feel financially able to do so is totally different from "X% of all Americans"
e.g. a poll finding that X% of "Americans who want to have kids" don't feel financially able to do so is totally different from "X% of all Americans"
May 12, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I give comments to my students of “what’s the denominator?” all the time!This level of precision matters not only for understanding the group about whom one is making inference, but also to suggest whether it’s the whole set of respondents or a subset of them (and all the errors therein).
Reposted by Kristen Olson
🚨 Call for all AAPOR board gamers! 🚨
GAMEPOR is finally officially on the conference schedule, now named "Longitudinal Leisure Study (with board games)".
Bring your favorite (and luggage friendly) board games to the conference and come join us for an epic game night! 🎲
#AAPOR @aapor.bsky.social
GAMEPOR is finally officially on the conference schedule, now named "Longitudinal Leisure Study (with board games)".
Bring your favorite (and luggage friendly) board games to the conference and come join us for an epic game night! 🎲
#AAPOR @aapor.bsky.social
May 10, 2025 at 3:30 AM
🚨 Call for all AAPOR board gamers! 🚨
GAMEPOR is finally officially on the conference schedule, now named "Longitudinal Leisure Study (with board games)".
Bring your favorite (and luggage friendly) board games to the conference and come join us for an epic game night! 🎲
#AAPOR @aapor.bsky.social
GAMEPOR is finally officially on the conference schedule, now named "Longitudinal Leisure Study (with board games)".
Bring your favorite (and luggage friendly) board games to the conference and come join us for an epic game night! 🎲
#AAPOR @aapor.bsky.social
Looking forward to the #AAPOR25 conference next week!
I will be giving papers on visible incentives in mixed-mode surveys, mode preferences in today’s survey landscape, and using generative AI for reading level calculations of survey questions.
I will be giving papers on visible incentives in mixed-mode surveys, mode preferences in today’s survey landscape, and using generative AI for reading level calculations of survey questions.
As you pack your suitcase, wait in security lines, or run into other AAPORites in the Uber line, snap a pic and share your journey to #aapor25!
May 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Looking forward to the #AAPOR25 conference next week!
I will be giving papers on visible incentives in mixed-mode surveys, mode preferences in today’s survey landscape, and using generative AI for reading level calculations of survey questions.
I will be giving papers on visible incentives in mixed-mode surveys, mode preferences in today’s survey landscape, and using generative AI for reading level calculations of survey questions.
Reposted by Kristen Olson
Hey data nerds, ANES 2024 Combined Pre- and Post-Election preliminary data is out now! Have fun! 🤓
May 1, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Hey data nerds, ANES 2024 Combined Pre- and Post-Election preliminary data is out now! Have fun! 🤓
Reposted by Kristen Olson
We are thrilled that the amazing @olsonkm.bsky.social will give a keynote at #ESRA25! Title: "From Mail Surveys to Chatbots: Changes in Survey Modes, Methods, and Data Sources Over Time"! Register now for #ESRA25 & be part of the future of survey research!
📢 Registration for #ESRA25 conference is now open! We are so excited 🎉 Let's have a big reunion of survey researchers in #Utrecht!
⏰️ The early-bird registration deadline is on May 12 ⏰️
www.europeansurveyresearch.org/conference/u...
⏰️ The early-bird registration deadline is on May 12 ⏰️
www.europeansurveyresearch.org/conference/u...
Registration and Fees
The European Survey Research Association (ESRA) is the leading professional organisation of survey researchers in Europe, with members from the academic, government, non-profit and commercial sectors
www.europeansurveyresearch.org
March 26, 2025 at 7:18 AM
We are thrilled that the amazing @olsonkm.bsky.social will give a keynote at #ESRA25! Title: "From Mail Surveys to Chatbots: Changes in Survey Modes, Methods, and Data Sources Over Time"! Register now for #ESRA25 & be part of the future of survey research!
This article is a great example for a questionnaire design class!
March 5, 2025 at 1:16 AM
This article is a great example for a questionnaire design class!
We have a paper in this Special Issue of @surveypractice.bsky.social! Spanish translation of self-administered surveys in a rural are with higher concentrations of Spanish speakers yielded very few Spanish language completes, but they came from addresses w/a Hispanic surname indicator on ABS frame.
March 4, 2025 at 12:19 AM
We have a paper in this Special Issue of @surveypractice.bsky.social! Spanish translation of self-administered surveys in a rural are with higher concentrations of Spanish speakers yielded very few Spanish language completes, but they came from addresses w/a Hispanic surname indicator on ABS frame.
Reposted by Kristen Olson
Here are a few studies I've published using data from Dept. of Educ / IES. None were funded by DoE/IES.
Most are with Steve Morgan (often lead), Dafna Gelbgiser, and undergrad or grad students, some of whom went on to work for Dept. of Education.
1st Sue's 🧵, the inspiration for this one.
Most are with Steve Morgan (often lead), Dafna Gelbgiser, and undergrad or grad students, some of whom went on to work for Dept. of Education.
1st Sue's 🧵, the inspiration for this one.
Thread of my own work that has used data from Department of Education and columns that have focused on research funded by them
1/N Inequality in college graduation rates
Uses data from Education Longitudinal Study, conducted by Department of Education
www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/u...
1/N Inequality in college graduation rates
Uses data from Education Longitudinal Study, conducted by Department of Education
www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/u...
February 15, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Here are a few studies I've published using data from Dept. of Educ / IES. None were funded by DoE/IES.
Most are with Steve Morgan (often lead), Dafna Gelbgiser, and undergrad or grad students, some of whom went on to work for Dept. of Education.
1st Sue's 🧵, the inspiration for this one.
Most are with Steve Morgan (often lead), Dafna Gelbgiser, and undergrad or grad students, some of whom went on to work for Dept. of Education.
1st Sue's 🧵, the inspiration for this one.
Reposted by Kristen Olson
Thread of my own work that has used data from Department of Education and columns that have focused on research funded by them
1/N Inequality in college graduation rates
Uses data from Education Longitudinal Study, conducted by Department of Education
www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/u...
1/N Inequality in college graduation rates
Uses data from Education Longitudinal Study, conducted by Department of Education
www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/u...
February 15, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Thread of my own work that has used data from Department of Education and columns that have focused on research funded by them
1/N Inequality in college graduation rates
Uses data from Education Longitudinal Study, conducted by Department of Education
www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/u...
1/N Inequality in college graduation rates
Uses data from Education Longitudinal Study, conducted by Department of Education
www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/u...
Reposted by Kristen Olson
Over 1,000 submission to Social Science Computer Review in 2024! That's incredible. Please send us your best work! 📝 Follow this account to see the amazing work that we have published. 🏆
Final total for the number of manuscripts received by @sscratsage.bsky.social in 2024? 1,020. Up from 785 submissions in 2023.
February 14, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Over 1,000 submission to Social Science Computer Review in 2024! That's incredible. Please send us your best work! 📝 Follow this account to see the amazing work that we have published. 🏆
Reposted by Kristen Olson
FANTASTIC
ICPSR at U Mich is coordinating the archiving of at-risk federal data (all of it?)
You can upload data you have & search for data you don’t have
www.datalumos.org/datalumos/
ICPSR at U Mich is coordinating the archiving of at-risk federal data (all of it?)
You can upload data you have & search for data you don’t have
www.datalumos.org/datalumos/
February 14, 2025 at 4:52 PM
FANTASTIC
ICPSR at U Mich is coordinating the archiving of at-risk federal data (all of it?)
You can upload data you have & search for data you don’t have
www.datalumos.org/datalumos/
ICPSR at U Mich is coordinating the archiving of at-risk federal data (all of it?)
You can upload data you have & search for data you don’t have
www.datalumos.org/datalumos/
Reposted by Kristen Olson
The American National Election Study is an NSF funded publicly available, incredibly rich dataset that tracks American public opinion, vote choice and evaluations of government that has been in the field since 1948. It is an incredible resource for teaching and research and must be protected.
🚨 The ANES is on the list, because the award description includes the study of 'racial conflict.'
The loss of the ANES would be a huge loss for public opinion, and for science.
The loss of the ANES would be a huge loss for public opinion, and for science.
February 13, 2025 at 9:48 PM
The American National Election Study is an NSF funded publicly available, incredibly rich dataset that tracks American public opinion, vote choice and evaluations of government that has been in the field since 1948. It is an incredible resource for teaching and research and must be protected.