National Social Survey [United States]

The National Social Survey is a series of public opinion surveys, conducted in 2002 and 2004, about quality of life in America. This series of surveys is designed to provide an in-depth view of the nation's social health by examining how Americans experience important aspects of daily life, such as social and economic well-being as well as community participation and engagement. Beginning in 2002, two surveys were fielded: one covering the nation's social health in general (National Social Survey) and the other covering the nation's social health with an emphasis on arts and culture (Survey on Arts and Culture). In addition, the Survey on Arts and Culture measured Americans' social well-being focusing on engagement in arts and culture, such as adult participation in arts and culture, children's participation in arts and culture, and the significance of the arts in people's lives. Interviewers asked to speak with the person living in the household who met the following criteria: 18 years old or older, has the next birthday, and is currently at home. The 2002 surveys collected data on 2,004 respondents. The 2004 surveys collected data on 1,601 respondents. The National Social Survey was created at the Institute for Innovation in Social Policy as part of a long-term effort to develop instruments that monitor the state of society in areas different from those that are assessed by traditional business-economic indicators.