CBS News/New York Times National Surveys, 1983 (ICPSR 8243)

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These seven datasets are part of an ongoing data collection effort in which The New York Times and CBS News are equal partners. Each survey includes questions about President Ronald Reagan's performance in office, especially with respect to economic and foreign affairs. In addition, each survey provides information on respondents' views concerning other social and political issues, as well as respondents' personal backgrounds. The surveys were conducted in January, April, June, September (twice), and October (twice). The October surveys took place before and after President Reagan's speech about Grenada on October 27, 1983. The October samples are weighted separately, and two discrete datasets, which may be analyzed separately or combined, are available (Parts 6 and 7). Topics covered in Part 1, January Survey, include Reagan's handling of economic and foreign affairs, various proposals to reduce the federal deficit, unemployment, and Social Security. In Part 2, April Survey, individuals responded to questions about Reagan's handling of economic and foreign affairs, the environment, and defense policy, and were also asked about their willingness to vote for a Black candidate, candidates endorsed by labor unions, and candidates endorsed by homosexual organizations. Two versions of the questionnaire were used, to test alternative question wording. For Part 3, June Survey, questions were asked on Reagan's presidency, possible presidential candidates in 1984, foreign policy, economic policy, merit pay for public school teachers, federal spending on education, and tennis. Part 4, Plane Survey, queried respondents about the Korean passenger plane shot down by the Soviet Union in September 1983, including their opinions on the American response to the attack. The questionnaire also included questions about Reagan's handling of foreign and economic policy. Part 5, September Survey, covered telephone service, United States troops in Lebanon, possible presidential candidates, and President Reagan's handling of economic and foreign policy. Two versions of the questionnaire were used, to test alternative question wording. A question about the cease-fire agreement in Lebanon was included in only one of those versions. Part 6, October (Prespeech) Survey, was conducted before President Reagan gave his speech on Grenada. Respondents were asked their opinions on having United States troops in Grenada and Lebanon, the attack on the Marine barracks in Lebanon, and Reagan's handling of foreign policy. Part 7, October (Postspeech) Survey, was conducted after President Reagan's speech on Grenada and concerned the same issues that were covered in the Prespeech Survey.

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