UniversityNews Step 1 — Survey Question Reference

Source: Cohorts 1–3 combined (N = 300) | Generated: 2026-05-20

How to use this document

Each section corresponds to a survey block. Variable names appear in code format. For matrix questions the stem is shown once, followed by a table of sub-items and their variable names.

1. Research Knowledge

research_1

Scale: None at all / A little / A moderate amount / A lot / A great deal

How much do you, personally, know about research at colleges and universities?

2. Trust in Science

research_2

Scale: Strongly disagree / Somewhat disagree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat agree / Strongly agree

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Scientific research methods are the best way to find truth about the world.”

3. Perceived Impact of University Research

research_3 — Matrix (13 items)

Scale: Extremely negative / Somewhat negative / Neither positive nor negative / Somewhat positive / Extremely positive

Stem: To what extent has research at colleges and universities had a positive or negative effect on:

Variable Sub-item
research_3_1 You personally
research_3_2 People you care about
research_3_3 People in your local community
research_3_4 People in the United States
research_3_5 Students at universities
research_3_6 Scientists at universities
research_3_7 Universities themselves
research_3_8 Pharmaceutical companies
research_3_9 Technology companies
research_3_10 The military
research_3_11 The US government
research_3_12 Wealthy individuals
research_3_13 Disadvantaged individuals

research_3b — Open-ended follow-up

Format: Free text (minimum 200 characters)

Please describe the positive or negative effects that academic research has had on you personally.

4. Science Engagement & Beliefs

research_4 — Matrix (8 items)

Scale: Strongly disagree / Somewhat disagree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat agree / Strongly agree

Stem: Rate your agreement with the following statements:

Variable Item
research_4_1 I usually understand academic research findings discussed online or in the news
research_4_2 I know where to look up information about academic research
research_4_3 It is clear how to apply findings from academic research in my own life
research_4_4 I often think about the impact of academic science on my everyday life
research_4_5 The benefits of scientific research outweigh harmful results
research_4_6 Science makes our way of life change too fast (reverse-coded; excluded from network)
research_4_7 Because of scientific research, there will be more opportunities for the next generation
research_4_8 Even if it brings no immediate benefits, scientific research that advances the frontiers of knowledge is necessary

5. Research Importance & Efficacy

research_5.1 / research_5.2 — Paired matrix (13 research areas × 2 ratings)

Grid format: Respondents rate each research area on two dimensions: - 5.1 — Importance: Not at all important / Slightly important / Moderately important / Very important / Extremely important - 5.2 — Likelihood: Very unlikely / Somewhat unlikely / Neutral / Somewhat likely / Very likely (that academic research will achieve this)

Stem: Below are some types of scientific research areas and outcomes. For each, please indicate: - How important is this outcome to you? - How likely is it that academic research will achieve this outcome?

Variable (5.1 / 5.2) Research area
research_5.1_1 / research_5.2_1 Advancing social science (insights into human behavior, mental health, poverty, misinformation)
research_5.1_2 / research_5.2_2 Developing new medicines to prevent or cure diseases (cancer, heart disease, dementia)
research_5.1_3 / research_5.2_3 Identifying the best ways to protect the environment and ensure clean air and water
research_5.1_4 / research_5.2_4 Developing new energy technologies to make America more energy independent
research_5.1_5 / research_5.2_5 Developing advanced technologies to drive economic growth and increase wages
research_5.1_6 / research_5.2_6 Developing innovative manufacturing processes to boost domestic production
research_5.1_7 / research_5.2_7 Developing new defense capabilities and national security technologies
research_5.1_8 / research_5.2_8 Advancing artificial intelligence and machine learning
research_5.1_9 / research_5.2_9 Exploring space to understand the solar system and broader universe
research_5.1_10 / research_5.2_10 Improvement in education and learning systems and structures
research_5.1_11 / research_5.2_11 Development of better public policies
research_5.1_12 / research_5.2_12 Better understanding for individuals about how to improve their lives
research_5.1_13 / research_5.2_13 More awareness of others’ experiences and perspectives

6. Perceived Problems with Research

research_6.1 / research_6.2 — Paired matrix (11 outcomes × 2 ratings)

Grid format: Respondents rate each negative outcome on two dimensions: - 6.1 — Severity: Not at all problematic / Slightly problematic / Moderately problematic / Very problematic / Extremely problematic - 6.2 — Likelihood: Very unlikely / Somewhat unlikely / Neutral / Somewhat likely / Very likely (that academic research will produce this outcome)

Stem: Below are potential negative outcomes from academic research. For each, please indicate: - How problematic is this outcome? - How likely is it that academic research will produce this outcome?

Variable (6.1 / 6.2) Negative outcome
research_6.1_1 / research_6.2_1 Researchers make mistakes and results are incorrect
research_6.1_2 / research_6.2_2 Research is slow, and it takes a long time to have an impact
research_6.1_3 / research_6.2_3 Few people are able to access or understand the results of research
research_6.1_4 / research_6.2_4 Findings are specific to certain groups of individuals and don’t apply to others
research_6.1_5 / research_6.2_5 Studies fail to yield impactful results
research_6.1_6 / research_6.2_6 Research is conducted inefficiently and wastes money
research_6.1_7 / research_6.2_7 New technology resulting from research harms the general public by eliminating jobs
research_6.1_8 / research_6.2_8 New technology resulting from research invades our privacy
research_6.1_9 / research_6.2_9 Research can create new technology that causes widespread damage (such as nuclear weapons)
research_6.1_10 / research_6.2_10 Research findings are misused
research_6.1_11 / research_6.2_11 The way that results are reported is biased by news outlets

7. Government Funding Attitudes

govtfund_1

Scale: Strongly disapprove / Somewhat disapprove / Somewhat approve / Strongly approve

Do you approve or disapprove of the federal government using taxpayer funds to invest in research at colleges and universities?

govtfund_1b — Open-ended follow-up

Format: Free text (minimum 200 characters)

Please describe your viewpoint on federal funding of academic research — why do you approve or disapprove?

govtfund_2

Format: Forced choice (two options)

Which statement comes closer in your view, even if neither is exactly right?

Code Option
1 Government investment in research is ESSENTIAL for scientific progress
0 Private investment will ensure that enough progress is made, even without government investment

govtfund_3

Scale: None at all / A little / A moderate amount / A lot / A great deal

How much do you currently know about cuts to government funding for academic research?

8. Perceived Stakeholder Support for Government Research Funding

govtfund_4 — Matrix (13 items)

Scale: Strongly disapprove / Somewhat disapprove / Neither approve nor disapprove / Somewhat approve / Strongly approve

Stem: How do you think each of these groups of people feel about the government financially supporting academic research?

Variable Stakeholder group
govtfund_4_1 People who will directly benefit from the research
govtfund_4_2 Students at universities
govtfund_4_3 Scientists at universities
govtfund_4_4 The general public
govtfund_4_5 People in the military
govtfund_4_6 People who identify as liberals
govtfund_4_7 People who identify as conservatives
govtfund_4_8 People who favor minimal government spending
govtfund_4_9 Politicians
govtfund_4_10 People who don’t believe in mainstream science
govtfund_4_11 Medical and mental health professionals
govtfund_4_12 Pharmaceutical companies
govtfund_4_13 Technology companies

9. Perceived Outcomes of Government Research Funding

govtfund_5 — Matrix (10 items)

Scale: Extremely unlikely / Somewhat unlikely / Neither likely nor unlikely / Somewhat likely / Extremely likely

Stem: How likely is it that these things happen when the government funds academic research?

Variable Outcome
govtfund_5_1 Researchers have enough resources to explore their ideas
govtfund_5_2 Research can focus on long-term projects instead of focusing on making an immediate profit
govtfund_5_3 Exciting research is sped up
govtfund_5_4 Results will become publicly available
govtfund_5_5 Government-funded researchers are held to higher standards than privately funded work
govtfund_5_6 Money is spent on research that should have been spent on more important things
govtfund_5_7 Taxpayer money is wasted
govtfund_5_8 Research is delayed by government oversight
govtfund_5_9 Political agendas influence what research gets funded
govtfund_5_10 Researchers lie about their results to get continued funding

10. Research Objectivity & Public Benefit Beliefs

gotvfund_6 — Matrix (9 items)

Scale: Strongly disagree / Somewhat disagree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat agree / Strongly agree

Stem: Rate your agreement with the following statements:

Variable Item
gotvfund_6_1 If the government funds research, there should be rules to ensure that the research is done well
gotvfund_6_2 University oversight committees protect against unethical research
gotvfund_6_3 Many everyday tools are the result of academic research
gotvfund_6_4 Research at universities benefits everyone’s day to day lives in ways that are difficult to see
gotvfund_6_5 University researchers are motivated primarily by profit
gotvfund_6_6 Private companies conduct research primarily to benefit the public
gotvfund_6_7 Government-funded research is more likely to be objective than research funded by private companies
gotvfund_6_8 Research funded by private companies is more likely to be biased toward results that benefit that company
gotvfund_6_9 Results of research by private companies will become publicly accessible

11. Perceived Priorities of Government-Funded Research

govtfund_7 — Matrix (4 items)

Scale: Not a priority / Low priority / Somewhat priority / Moderate priority / High priority

Stem: What are the priorities of government-funded research at colleges and universities? Rate how highly prioritized you think each of the following is:

Variable Priority
govtfund_7_1 Making a profit
govtfund_7_2 Advance knowledge and benefit society
govtfund_7_3 Develop products that can be sold
govtfund_7_4 Serve the interests of the government

12. Tax Investment in Research — Beliefs

govtfund_8 — Matrix (7 items)

Scale: Strongly disagree / Somewhat disagree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat agree / Strongly agree

Stem: Rate your agreement with the following statements: Investing tax dollars in academic research…

Variable Completion
govtfund_8_1 …boosts the economy
govtfund_8_2 …improves health and saves lives
govtfund_8_3 …drives industry investment
govtfund_8_4 …makes America a leader
govtfund_8_5 …protects national security
govtfund_8_6 …leads to scientific breakthroughs
govtfund_8_7 …benefits people like you

13. Approval of Federal Funding Cuts

govtfund_9 — Matrix (5 items)

Scale: Strongly disapprove / Somewhat disapprove / Neither approve nor disapprove / Somewhat approve / Strongly approve

Stem: Would you approve or disapprove if the federal government took the following actions?

Variable Action
govtfund_9_1 Cutting funding for health research
govtfund_9_2 Cutting funding for education
govtfund_9_3 Cutting funding for science
govtfund_9_4 Cutting funding for the arts
govtfund_9_5 Cutting funding for the humanities

14. Local Impact of Funding Cuts

govfund_10

Scale: Strong negative impact / Somewhat negative impact / Neither positive nor negative impact / Somewhat positive impact / Strong positive impact

Do you think your local area would be positively or negatively impacted by cuts to funding for scientific research?

15. Behavioral Intentions

Scale: Definitely will not / Probably will not / Maybe will not / Unsure / Maybe will / Probably will / Definitely will

How likely are you to do each of the following in the next 3 months?

Variable Behavior
X1_intent Contact your representatives in Congress to ask them to oppose cuts to federal funding for research at universities
X2_intent Talk to other people (like your friends and family) about the cuts to federal funding for scientific research
X3_intent Share information online (including on social media) about the cuts to federal funding for scientific research
X4_intent Contact your representatives in Congress to ask them to support federal funding for research at universities

16. Past Engagement

past_engage_1 through past_engage_7

Scale: Never / Once or twice a year / Once or twice a month / Once or twice a week / Almost every day / Once or more per day

Stem: Over the past 12 months, how often have you done the following:

Variable Behavior
past_engage_1 Had conversations with friends, family, or co-workers about science-related topics (e.g., climate change, vaccination, nutrition, new technologies)
past_engage_2 Shared or commented on social media posts about scientific issues
past_engage_3 Attended public rallies or protests related to scientific issues (e.g., “Stand Up for Science”, “March for Science”, “Fridays for Future”)
past_engage_4 Shared information online (including on social media) about the cuts to federal funding for scientific research
past_engage_5 Talked to other people (like your friends and family) about the cuts to federal funding for scientific research
past_engage_6 Contacted your representatives in Congress to ask them to oppose cuts to federal funding for research at universities
past_engage_7 Contacted your representatives in Congress to ask them to support federal funding for research at universities

17. Higher Education Perceptions

highered_1 — Matrix (3 items)

Scale: Strongly disapprove / Somewhat disapprove / Neutral / Somewhat approve / Strongly approve

Stem: Overall, how much do you approve or disapprove of:

Variable Institution
highered_1_1 Private colleges and universities in the United States
highered_1_2 Your state’s public university system
highered_1_3 Your local community college(s)

highered_2 — Matrix (3 items)

Scale: None at all / A little / A moderate amount / A lot / A great deal

Stem: How much do you trust each type of institution to do what is right?

Variable Institution
highered_2_1 Private colleges and universities in the United States
highered_2_2 Your state’s public university system
highered_2_3 Your local community college(s)

highered_3 — Matrix (6 items)

Scale: None at all / A little / A moderate amount / A lot / A great deal

Stem: How much do each of the following contribute to scientific achievements in the US?

Variable Institution
highered_3_1 Private colleges and universities
highered_3_2 Private companies (pharmaceutical companies, technology companies)
highered_3_3 Federal government agencies
highered_3_4 Charitable foundations
highered_3_5 State colleges and universities
highered_3_6 Community colleges

highered_4 — Matrix (6 items)

Scale: None / Less than half / About half / Most / All

Stem: What proportion of each type of institution do you think is nonprofit?

Variable Institution
highered_4_1 Private colleges and universities
highered_4_2 Public state colleges and universities
highered_4_3 Community colleges
highered_4_4 Private companies (e.g., pharmaceutical and tech companies)
highered_4_5 Federal government agencies
highered_4_6 Charitable foundations

18. University Contributions to Society

univ_2 — Matrix (10 items)

Scale: Strongly disagree / Somewhat disagree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat agree / Strongly agree

Stem: To what extent do you agree or disagree that colleges and universities contribute to each of the following outcomes in the US?

Variable Outcome
univ_2_1 Greater innovation, including new scientific, medical, and technological discoveries
univ_2_2 Better jobs, promotions, and career advancements
univ_2_3 Higher household incomes
univ_2_4 A more knowledgeable population
univ_2_5 A competitive advantage for the US over other countries
univ_2_6 More entrepreneurship and business creation
univ_2_7 Increased compassion for, and tolerance of, others
univ_2_8 Overall economic growth
univ_2_9 Better relationships with other countries
univ_2_10 Benefits to surrounding communities

univ_4 — Matrix (3 items)

Scale: Strongly disagree / Somewhat disagree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat agree / Strongly agree

Stem: Do you agree or disagree that colleges and universities:

Variable Item
univ_4_1 Discover new knowledge through original research
univ_4_2 Apply existing knowledge and connect ideas across contexts and disciplines
univ_4_3 Apply knowledge-based solutions to society’s needs

univ_5 — Matrix (7 items)

Scale: None at all / A little / A moderate amount / A lot / A great deal

Stem: How much do each of the following people benefit from colleges and universities?

Variable Beneficiary
univ_5_1 You personally
univ_5_2 People you care about
univ_5_3 Local communities
univ_5_4 Students who attend
univ_5_5 Students’ families
univ_5_6 Employers and businesses
univ_5_7 Society as a whole

univ_affiliate

Format: Multi-select

Are you currently affiliated with a college or university? Select all that apply.

19. Climate Beliefs

climate_1

Format: Yes / No

Do you think global warming is happening?

climate_2

Format: Multiple choice

Assuming global warming is happening, do you think it is…

Code Option
1 Caused mostly by human activities
0 Caused mostly by natural changes in the environment (or other non-human option)

climate_3

Scale: Not at all / Slightly / Moderately / Very strongly

To what extent do you trust scientists who work on climate change?

climate_4 — Matrix (4 items)

Scale: Not at all important / Slightly important / Moderately important / Very important / Extremely important

Stem: How important do you think it is for colleges and universities to do research on the following climate-related topics?

Variable Topic
climate_4_1 Climate science and earth systems (such as tracking greenhouse gases, studying rising sea levels, and understanding past climate cycles)
climate_4_2 Climate mitigation approaches (“fixes” such as renewable energy, carbon capture, and sustainable agriculture)
climate_4_3 Climate adaptation and resilience (“adjustments” such as urban infrastructure, carbon-smart crops, and ecosystem management)
climate_4_4 Climate policy, economics, and human impact (such as environmental justice, climate finance, and psychology and communication)

20. Demographics & Background

gender

Format: Multiple choice (select one)

Which best describes your gender identity? (Options include self-describe; free text captured in gender_8_TEXT)

LGBTQ

Format: Yes / No

Do you identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community?

race

Format: Multi-select

What race/ethnicity or races/ethnicities do you consider yourself to be? (Self-describe option in race_self)

ses_degree

Format: Multiple choice

What is the highest degree or level of school you have completed? If currently enrolled, indicate highest degree completed.

ses_income_household

Format: Multiple choice (income brackets)

Which of these categories best describes your total combined household income for the past 12 months? (Before taxes, all sources)

ses_subjective_1 through ses_subjective_10

Format: Ladder scale (click a rung; ses_ladder derived variable = 1–10)

Think of this ladder as representing where people stand in the United States. At the top are people with the most money, education, and respected jobs. At the bottom are people with the least. Relative to other people your age in the United States right now, where would you place yourself on this ladder?

politics_ideology

Format: 7-point scale (Extremely liberal → Extremely conservative)

Where would you place yourself on the political ideology scale?

urbanicity

Format: Multiple choice

Which of the following best describes the area where you live?

zipcode

Format: Open text

What is your zip code?

21. Attention Checks (not scored in analysis)

Variable Question Correct answer
attention_1 Please select “Somewhat agree” below if you are paying attention. Somewhat agree
attention_2 Please select “Disagree” below if you are paying attention. Disagree
attention_3 Please select “Somewhat disagree” below if you are paying attention. Somewhat disagree

Participants flagged (flag_attn = TRUE) only if they failed all three checks.

22. Open-ended Feedback

end_feedback

Please type below any comments or suggestions you might have for the research team.