Project Reports
Articles concerning the general social survey, particularly on its use by social scientists and others.
Data Release 4 for the 2022 GSS Cross-section data, featuring a new multi-mode design, are now available. The additional data features expand survey paradata on interviewer characteristics, incentives, survey length, respondent selection, and the data collection design. We encourage users to review the documentation and consider the potential impact of the experiments and data collection approach on the survey estimates.
If you are interested in submitting new content for the 2026 GSS, the call for the 2026 GSS Module Competition is now available. The deadline is February 10th, 2025.
Smith, Tom W.
The General Social SurveysProject Reports
The National Data Program for the Social Sciences (NDPSS) is a social-indicators and data-diffusion program. Its basic purposes are 1) to gather and disseminate data on contemporary American society in order to a) monitor and explain trends and constants in attitudes, behaviors, and attributes and b) examine the structure and functioning of society in general as well as the role played by various sub-groups; 2) compare the United States to other societies in order to a) place American society in comparative perspective and b) develop cross-national models of human society; and 3) to make high-quality data easily accessible to scholars, students, policy makers, and others with minimal cost and waiting. These purposes are accomplished by the regular collection and distribution of the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) General Social Survey (GSS) and its allied surveys in the International Social Survey Program (ISSP). Both the GSS and the ISSP surveys have been efficiently collected, widely distributed, and extensively analyzed by social scientists around the world.
GSS years: 1972-2014
Marsden, Peter V., Smith, Tom W.
Overview: The General Social Survey ProjectProject Reports
In this document we provide a general overview of the General Social Survey (GSS) project, which began in 1972. It presents a general overview of the project, its research methods, and its content, omitting many nuances. Davis and Smith (1992) provide a more extended guide to the GSS through 1990. Much more detail about it, including full documentation and question wording for items, is to be found at the project website (http://gss.norc.org/).
GSS years: 1972-2014
Smith, Tom W.
PR 29 General Social SurveyProject Report, Chicago, NORC , 2008
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1974-2004
Smith, Tom W.
PR 28 Repeated Cross-Sectional Research: The General Social SurveysProject Report, Chicago, NORC , 2008
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-2004
Smith, Tom W. Kim, Jibum Koch, Achim Park, Alison
PR 27 Social Science Research and GSSProject Report, Chicago, NORC, 2005
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-2004
Smith, Tom W. Kim, Seokho Tateyama, Kyle, Tateyama
PR 26 An Analysis of GSS Research 1972-2003Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 4, 2004
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-2002
Smith, Tom W.
PR 25 Cross-National Survey Research: The Challenge and the PromiseProject Report, Chicago, NORC
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1984-2002
Smith, Tom W.
PR 24 A Generation of Data- The GSS, 1972-2002Project Report, Chicago, NORC, 2003
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-2002
Smith, Tom W.
PR 23 Globalizing Survey Research The ISSPProject Report, Chicago, NORC, 2001
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1985-2000
Smith, Tom W.
PR 22 Who What When Where and Why, An Analysis of Usage of the GSS, 1972-2000Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 7, 2000
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-1998
Smith, Tom W.
PR 21 Tall Oaks From Little Acorns Grow- The GSS, 1971-1996Project Report, Chicago, NORC
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-1996
Smith, Tom W.
PR 20 Who What When Where and Why, An Analysis of Usage of the GSS, 1972-1995Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 7, 1996
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-1995
Smith, Tom W.
PR 19 Who What When Where and Why, An Analysis of Usage of the GSS, 1972-1993Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 1995
Although academics in political science, psychology, medicine, and other fields are increasingly using GSS data, sociologists continue to be the heaviest users. Replicating items, including demographics, measures of personal happiness and job satisfaction, and questions on abortion, government spending, and sexual morality are among the most commonly used variables. As of 1993, papers using GSS data have appeared in over 400 journals and have been presented at the meetings of nearly 200 scholarly associat
GSS years: 1972-1993
Smith, Tom W.
PR 18 Who, What, When, Where and Why- An Analysis of Usage of the GSS, 1972-1991Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 11, 1992
This article is a compilation of the various uses and users of the General Social Survey since its creation in 1972.
GSS years: 1972-1991
NICS: ALL GSS MNEMONICS
Smith, Tom W.
PR 17 The International Social Survey ProgramProject Report, Chicago, NORC, 1990
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1980-1991
Smith, Tom W.
PR 16 Who, What, When, Where and Why- An Analysis of Usage of the GSS, 1972-1989Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 1990
Academics, particularly sociologists, are the most frequent users of the GSS. The most heavily used variables include demographics, personal evaluation questions, and attitude questions on abortion, government spending, capital punishment, civil liberties, and sexual behavior. Usage reflected in journals, books, and conference papers has increased in this time period. The GSS is also widely used in teaching.
GSS years: 1972-1989
Smith, Tom W.
PR 15 Who, What, When, Where and Why- An Analysis of Usage of the GSS, 1972-1987Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 7, 1988
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-1987
Smith, Tom W.
PR 14 Who, What, When, Where and Why- An Analysis of Usage of the GSS, 1972-1985Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 1986
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-1985
Smith, Tom W.
PR 13 A Summary of Findings from the GSSProject Report, Chicago, NORC, 1986
Research based on GSS data has made large contributions to the fields of culture, stratification, family, attitudes, and social change.
GSS years: 1972-1985
Smith, Tom W.
PR 12 The International Social Survey ProgramProject Report, Chicago, NORC, 1986
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985
Smith, Tom W.
PR 11 The 1985 Survey of Users of the GSS- A Summary ReportProject Report, Chicago, NORC , 1, 1986
Overall, user satisfaction with the GSS is very high.
GSS years: 1972-1985
GSS Survey of Users
Smith, Tom W.
PR 10 Who What When Where and Why, An Analysis of Usage of the GSS, 1972-83Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 1984
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-1983
Smith, Tom W.
PR 09 The Role of the General Social Survey in the Social SciencesProject Report, Chicago, NORC , 1983.
The main function of the GSS is to provide information for scientific study and monitoring of social trends.
GSS years: 1972-1982
Smith, Tom W. Peterson, Bruce L.
PR 08 A Summary Evaluation of GSS Questions, 1972-83Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 10, 1983
A Variable Description File was created for the display and analysis of 380 standard GSS variables. It includes the years each question was asked, best trend model skewness, membership in an attitude scale or set, number of usages in papers in the Annotated Bibliography, and special problems that have been noted with that question.
GSS years: 1972-1983
Smith, Tom W.
PR 07 Who What When Where and Why, An Analysis of Usage of the GSS 1972-1982Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 1982
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-1980
Davis, James A. Smith, Tom W.
PR 06 Have We Learned Anything from the GSSProject Report, Chicago, NORC, 1982
A review of the major themes learned from research with the GSS include the following: (1) the last twenty-five years have seen an increase in social liberalism on most issues; (2) mass attitude change has affected all parts of the social structure about equally, with conversion as important as replacement; (3) intergenerational transmittances shape attitudes and behaviors as well as socioeconomic status; and (4) membership in sub-cultures is a significant influence on a wide range of attitudes.
GSS years: 1972-1980
Smith, Tom W.
PR 05a Who What When Where and Why - An Analysis of Usage of the GSS, 1972-80Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 1981
Sociologists are the biggest users of GSS data. Work in other disciplines include Political Science, Communications, Psychology, Statistics, and Social Work. Demographics are used more than other variables. Papers using GSS data have appeared in dozens of journals and at scholarly meetings. Other works using this survey information are polls, reports, and student dissertations. Most GSS's have been used to carry out scholarly research, conduct methodological studies, and report social indicators.
GSS years: 1972-1980
Smith, Tom W.
PR 04 Analysis of GSS Usage Among SociologistsProject Report, Chicago, NORC , 1981
In 1981, the GSS enjoyed high recognition and use among Sociologists and was more popular than other equivalent data sets.
GSS years: 1972-1980
Smith, Tom W.
PR 03 The National Data Program for the Social SciencesProject Report, Chicago, NORC , 12, 1980
There are two purposes of the National Data Program for the Social Sciences. First, it measures trends in attitudes behavior and attributes. Secondly, it makes useful and relevant survey data available to the public.
GSS years: 1972-1980
Gallup; SRC
Smith, Tom W.
PR 02 Who What When Where and Why - An Analysis of Usage of the GSS, 1972-78, 2nd editionProject Report, Chicago, NORC , 1980
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-1978
Smith, Tom W.
PR 01 Who What When Where Why - An Analysis of Usage of GSS, 1972-78Project Report, Chicago, NORC , 1979
(no abstract provided)
GSS years: 1972-1978
