The Transparency Initiative

The Elon University Poll is a charter member of the Transparency Initiative, a program created by the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) in 2014 to educate polling firms on ways to better share how they collect and interpret their information.

The Elon Poll’s voluntary participation in this initiative signifies a willingness to clearly state in its reports how questions were asked, in what order, who funded the poll and then conducted it, and a definition of the population under study, among other details.

While the Elon Poll encourages journalists to suggest questions and occasionally conducts community surveys in coordination with local nonprofit organizations, pollsters perform no contract work and see their role as one that provides a public service to the region and state.

Information from polls is shared with media, citizens and public officials to facilitate informed public policy making through the better understanding of citizens’ opinions and attitudes. Polls are conducted three times each semester.

Association of Academic Survey Research Organizations

The Elon University Poll is also a member of the Association of Academic Survey Research Organizations, a “leading voice in support and promotion of excellence in survey research conducted in academic settings.”

The AASRO promotes excellence and integrity in survey research by helping organizations advance the research, education and service goals of their respective colleges and universities.