Work

Analyzing the impact of events through surveys: formalizing biases and introducing the dual randomized survey design

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Social scientists often compare survey responses before and after important events to test how those events impact respondent beliefs, attitudes, and preferences. This article offers a formal analysis of such pre-event/post-event survey comparisons, including designs that seek to reduce bias using quota sampling, rolling cross-sections, and panels. Our analysis distinguishes major sources of bias and clarifies the comparative strengths and weaknesses of each approach. We then introduce a modified panel design—the dual randomized survey—to reduce bias in cases where asking respondents to complete the same survey twice could impact their Wave 2 responses. Our formalization of bias and novel research design improve scholars’ ability to study the causal impact of events through surveys.

Source: Political Science Research and Methods

DOI: 10.1017/psrm.2026.10088

Authors: Andrew Bertoli, Laura Jakli, Henry Pascoe

Institutions: IE University, Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Survey Methodology and Nonresponse

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,550

Funder: University of Cambridge