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STUDIES

Congressional Websites and Newsletters Study:
Cutting edge research by Presentation Testing, Inc., commissioned by the Congressional Institute, shows that improved websites and newsletters increase Members' favorability ratings in their districts. The recommendations in the Congressional Websites and Newsletters Report are based on the opinions of constituents and experts. The results were then taken back out to the citizens, and the recommendations were verified and refined.
Summary of Findings | Full Text (PDF)

Tele-Town Hall Study:
In October 2007, The Congressional Institute, in conjunction with Presentation Testing, Inc., released the first-ever report on the transformative effects that Tele-Town Hall meetings have on Members’ relationships with their districts. The study surveyed 867 registered voters and conducted focus groups in California, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Among other key findings, the report confirmed the correlation between satisfied constituents and consistent contact with their Member.
Summary of Findings | Full Text (PDF)

America: The Next Decade:
In January 2005, the Congressional Institute commissioned The Winston Group to conducta survey of 1,000 registered voters to determine the issues Americans believe will be important five to ten years from now. Rather than simply testing a list of congressional priorities prevalent in similar research, the Winston Group survey compared issue lists againsta list of outcomes / solutions.
Summary of Findings | FullText (PDF)

Exploring Policy Challenges: 5-10 Years:
In the fall of 2004, the Congressional Institute contracted with the Charlton Research Company to conduct 10 focus groups of “Informed Americans in Phoenix, Arizona; Atlanta, Georgia; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Alexandria, VA; and San Francisco, CA. The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes towards what informed Americans believe to the most significant challenges facing the world over the next 5-10 years.
Summary of Findings | Full Text (PDF)

National Issues Survey:
On behalf of the Congressional Institute, the Charlton Research Company conducted a National Issues Survey in January 2001 to determine which issues were of greatest concern to Americans. The terrorism attacks of 9/11 probably modified the priorities defined in this study.
See the results of our National Issues Survey

Health Care Reform Surveys:
In 1998, the Congressional Institute commissioned Charlton Research Company to conduct separate surveys, based on the Public Judgment model, of how Americans: (1) feel about their health-care coverage and concerns about health care in the future; and (2) rate their attitudes toward several health-care policy alternatives specifically dealing with patient protection. As health care returns to the forefront of national debate, these studies constitute a useful benchmark or reference point on health matters.
See the results of our studies on Health Care Reform

National Vision Foundation Study:
In the spring of 1997, the Congressional Institute and the National Vision Foundation commissioned the Charlton Research Company to conduct a survey to discover whether the public thinks the U.S. has a national vision towards which both citizens and leaders are working, and if so, what that vision is and how the country’s most pressing issues fit into it. The core values of a nation evolve slowly; although this research is older it reflects the primary values and concerns that drive decision-making within the American public.
See the results of our study on a National Vision

Americans Talk about Taxes:
On behalf of the Congressional Institute, the Charlton Research Company conducted a national survey in March 1996 to identify the values, attitudes and opinions Americans hold with respect to taxes. With comprehensive tax reform on the Congressional agenda again, the debate over taxes is coming back into focus. This survey goes beyond public opinion over a particular tax proposal – it exposes the core values at work in the American public's mind when dealing with taxes.
See the results of our study entitled “Americans Talk about Taxes”

Environmental Values Survey:
In 1996, the Congressional Institute commissioned the Charlton Research Company to conduct a comprehensive research study to determine, based on public opinion, whether environmentalism is moving into a new phase and whether the public’s vision toward the environment is changing. This study reveals how environmental issues interact with other values held by Americans and shows the different ways that these issues are perceived and judged.
See the results of our study on Environmental Values

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