MethodologyThe target population of the GSS is adults (18+) living in households in the United States. From 1972 to 2004 it was further restricted to those able to do the survey in English. From 2006 to present it has included those able to do the survey in English or Spanish. Those unable to do the survey in either English or Spanish are out-of-scope. Residents of institutions and group quarters are out-of-scope. Those with mental and/or physical conditions that prevent them from doing the survey, but who live in households are part of the target population and in-scope. In the reinterviews those who have died, moved out of the United States, or who no longer live in a household have left the target population and are out-of-scope.
The vast majority of GSS data is obtained in face-to-face interviews. Computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) began in the 2002 GSS. When in-person interview with a sampled respondent cannot be arranged, under some conditions, GSS interviews may be conducted by telephone. However, the 2021 cross-section survey was done online, as noted below. GSS interviews last 90 minutes on average. Analysis of the data requires using weights, and each respondent represents about 90,000 Americans.
Source: The above text and information on this page are adapted from the GSS website and GSS FAQ.
The on-line codebook on the GSS website has appendices that describe the study design, sampling methods, and coding protocols. The codebook cautioned users to note several major methodological changes in the 2021 GSS Cross-section:
The GSS website contains data. documentation, video tutorials, reports, news coverage, and bibliography.
The on-line codebook on the GSS website covers all variables in the cumulative GSS. It also includes a series of important appendices that describe the study design, sampling methods, and coding protocols used in the GSS. Much, but not all, codebook information is available electronically via the Survey Documentation and Analysis website at the University of California, Berkeley. Opening the links will download the files. Read GSS 1972-2018 Cross-Section Codebook Sections online.
