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Cornell University

Survey Research Institute

at Cornell University

Empire State Poll

Overview Submission Details Data and Reports

Overview

The Empire State Poll (ESP), first launched in 2003, is the first statewide survey of its kind within New York State. Modeled on successful state polls such as the Ohio Buckeye Poll, the Minnesota State Survey, and the Wisconsin Badger Poll, the ESP is specifically designed to provide actionable and quantified data on New York State. The core instrument includes workplace, community, governmental, economic, and special topical issue questions in addition to rotating omnibus modules submitted by researchers. We conduct 800 interviews each spring using a Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) software system.

The ESP survey sample consists of randomly selected households from all listed New York State telephone exchanges. The sampling frame is proportionally split between Upstate and Downstate residents, allowing comparisons between the overall state and these geographic regions. Our participant selection procedures ensure that every household within New York State has an equal chance to be included in the survey, and that once the household is sampled, every adult has an equal chance to be included in the poll.

The ESP has four primary objectives:

  1. Provide a long-term benchmark of New York State residents' characteristics, attitudes, experiences, and behaviors through the use of an annual core instrument.
  2. Create an efficient and affordable opportunity for organizations and researchers to survey residents on specific topics within the poll.
  3. Survey residents annually on newsworthy issues to assess New York State public opinion, and then compare those opinions with the rest of the country using equivalent national public opinion polling data.
  4. Better understand regional and intra-state differences by surveying 400 Upstate and 400 Downstate New York State residents.

Want to participate or learn more?

To participate, please go to: https://sri.cornell.edu/esp23s

2023 Empire State Poll Timeline:

  Action Responsible Party Deadline
1. Submission deadline Researcher March 16th, 2023
2. Review and select questions ILR SRI April 1st, 2023
3. Question changes due Researcher April 15th, 2023
4. Complete required IRB training Researcher April 30th, 2023
5. Data collection (full study) ILR SRI May 1st - July 1st, 2023
6. Data delivery ILR SRI July 15th, 2023

For more information contact:

Survey Research Institute
342 Ives East
607.255.1507 (phone)
sri@cornell.edu

Questionnaires & Reports

Please note: some of the questionnaires & reports may take a moment to download.