NORC at the University of Chicago is one of the largest independent social research organizations in the United States. Established in 1941 as the National Opinion Research Center, its corporate headquarters is located in downtown Chicago, with offices in several other locations throughout the United States. Organized as an independent corporation, more than half its board comes from faculty and administration of the university, it also jointly staffs some university academic research centers.
History
The organization was founded in 1941 as the National Opinion Research Center. Since its founding, NORC at the University of Chicago has conducted numerous social research projects involving opinion survey, panel survey, marketing research, and other data collection, for government agencies, nonprofit agencies, and corporations. Data from surveys are also often analyzed in a wide range of social sciences, especially sociology. NORC is best known for its large, national surveys, but has also conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses, longitudinal analyses, methodological studies, and international projects.
Clients
NORC clients have included:
American Bar Association
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – Gates Millennium Scholars Tracking and Longitudinal Study, Washington State Achievers Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – National Immunization Survey, National Flu Survey
2012 NORC Presidential Election Study, September–November 2012 – Nonpartisan study of public opinion on candidate favorability, perception of the economy, issue knowledge, and healthcare before and after the presidential election. Funded by NORC at the University of Chicago.
Florida Ballot Project, February–May 2001 – Re-examined the approximately 180,000 uncounted ballots in the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election. Funded by New York Times, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Tribune Company, Palm Beach Post, St. Petersburg Times, and Associated Press. NORC was featured in the 2003 documentary film Orwell Rolls in His Grave.
General Social Survey , 1972–present – Monitors social change and the complexity of American society. This survey plays an important role in American sociology. After the U.S. Census, it is the second most frequently analyzed source of information for the social sciences in the United States. Funded by the Sociology Program of the National Science Foundation.
Making Connections Survey , 2002–2011 – Neighborhood-based, longitudinal and cross-sectional surveying residents in ten low-income communities across the United States. It serves as an evaluation of a larger AECF-supported initiative and was designed to collect data measuring how neighborhood change affects the well-being of children. The final survey dataset includes responses from roughly 28,000 interviews at three points in time. Funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
National Immunization Survey , 1994–present – Provides the public with important statistics about childhood immunization and related health matters. Funded by the CDC.
National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1966–present – It covers questions about economic, social, and academic experiences of the subjects. The survey researches also issues related to youth entry into the work force. Funded by U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.
National Survey of Children's Health, 2003–present – Examines the physical and emotional health of children ages 0–17 years of age. Funded by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs
Sonic Boom Tests Reactions, 1961-1962 – Public opinion measurement for the infamous sonic boom tests over Oklahoma City, which were intended to measure the impact of supersonic transports over populated areas. Funded by NASA.
Survey of Consumer Finances, 1992–present – It collects information about household financial characteristics and behavior. In the United States, it is thought to be the best source of information about family finances. Approximately 4,500 subjects participate in the survey. Funded by the Federal Reserve Board.
AP Votecast, 2018, a survey system of voters and non-voters developed with the Associated Press that replaces AP's exit polls. The system debuted in 2018.
Services
AmeriSpeak, October 2014–present—A representative cross-section of U.S households for the scientific study of public opinion. AmeriSpeak panelists take part in online and telephone surveys regarding current events, social and political trends, health care, government policies and programs, and consumer products and trends. Funded by NORC at the University of Chicago.
