Computer data ( file : records)

Computer reel + codebook + machine-readable documentation

SSL: Codebook available at Social Science Library, 140 Prospect St.

SSL: For help interpreting codebooks, see Data Librarian, Social Science Library. Statistical consulting is available from the Social Science Computing Laboratory (Statlab). Both are located at 140 Prospect St.

Title from codebook.

Codebook contents: v. 1. Codebook--v. 2. Notes, questionnaire and frequencies addendum.

Volume 2 of codebook contains 1 microfiche in pocket in back cover.

Other information supplied by contact person.

2,304 respondents and approximately 1,400 variables.

The respondents for this study were interviewed in a sample of 108 congressional districts after the 1978 congressional elections. The promary objective of this survey was to analyze the attitudes and behavior of the American electorate in the context of the 1978 congressional elections.

Major emphasis was placed on respondents' evaluations of their district's candidates - both the incumbent and opponent, along several dimensions. They were asked to assess the candidates in terms of their issue-orientations, performance in office, behavior during the campaign, and ability to represent the interests of the constituency.

Derived variables have been created which will allow the user to analyze Democratic and Republican candidates and incumbents separately. The study includes a series of questions on the media coverage of the campaigns and scales that measured the respondents' positions on major social issues, including urban unrest, protection of the rights of the accused, aid to minority groups, government insurance plan, and women's role in society.

In addition to the survey data, the 1978 election study also contains several contextual components that have been added to the respondents' file. These data consist of Historical election returns at the state, congressional district, and county levels for elections to the offices of President, United States senator and representative, 1972-1976.

1978 election returns for primary and general elections to the same offices and including precint level returns as well; Voter validation variables ; Information about media structure in respondents'locale ; Incumbent characteristics, including information pertaining to the incumbent United States representatives of the 95th Congress from the 108 Congressional districts sampled in the survey.

A major feature of the this component is a series of performance ratings that each member of Congress received from certain interest groups and from from the Congressional Quarterly. It also included candidate characteristics which apply to the Democratic and Republican candidates for the office of United States Representatives in the 1978 general elections.

ICPSR ; 7655.

United States. Congress > Elections, 1978.

Elections > United States.

Voting > United States.

Public opinion > United States.

University of Michigan. Center for Political Studies.

Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research.

National Election Studies (U.S.)