Free
Platform for Experiments
TESS, Time-sharing Experiments for the Social Sciences, is a National Science Foundation-funded infrastructure project that allows researchers (including graduate students) to conduct experiments using computer-assisted telephone interviewing and Internet interviewing. It was developed by a team that includes Political Communication member Diana Mutz, of Ohio State University.
At the Web site below, researchers can propose experiments competitively, and if selected conduct them at no cost with a large, diverse subject pool.
TESS uses two large-scale, cooperative data collection instruments. Starting in June 2002, TESS will run an ongoing national survey to which investigators can add their own original questions. At the same time, TESS will let investigators run their studies on a random sample of the population that is interviewed via the Internet and WebTV. Investigators interested in mode of interview effects can use both data collection platforms simultaneously.
Research-oriented faculty and graduate students from across the social sciences compete for time on one or both instruments. A comprehensive, on-line submission and review process screens proposals for the importance of their contribution to science and society. A diverse team of leading scholars assists in administering the review process, itself based on reviews solicited from within each proposing scholar's chosen social scientific discipline.
Proposals may come from any substantive area within any discipline in the social sciences so long as they utilize experimental or quasi-experimental designs that make a significant contribution to knowledge. TESS pays standard data collection and dissemination costs; so for most proposals, TESS is free.
Several new web sites allow users to download (in .pdf format) reports on the 2000 presidential election and political communication.
Elections: Perspectives on Activities and Challenges Across the Nation
Elections: Statistical Analysis of Factors that Affected Uncounted Votes in the 2000 Presidential Election
Elections: Status and Use of Federal Voting Equipment Standards
Elections: A Framework for Evaluating Reform Proposals
Pat Devlin is again offering a videotape collection of ads from the primary and general campaigns, including the 2000 campaign. For more information write him at the Dept. of Communication Studies, University of Rhode Island, 60 Upper College Rd., Suite 1, Kingston, RI 02881-0812, call (401) 874-4724 or fax 401.874.4722.