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Methodology and Topline for iMediaEthics’ Iran Nuclear Poll Questions

Prepared by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, August 2015

See iMediaEthics report on its Iran Nuclear Deal poll here.

The PSRAI August 2015 Omnibus Week 1 obtained telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults living in the continental United States. Telephone interviews were conducted by landline (500) and cell phone (500, including 287 without a landline phone). The survey was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI). Interviews were done in English and Spanish by Princeton Data Source from August 6 to 9, 2015. Statistical results are weighted to correct known demographic discrepancies. The margin of sampling error for the complete set of weighted data is ± 3.8 percentage points.

Final Topline Results

August 10, 2015

 

Total: 1,000 adults age 18 and older
Margin of error: plus or minus 3.8 percentage points
Form A half sample 481 adults age 18 and older
Margin of error: plus or minus 5.5 percentage points
Form B half sample 519 adults age 18 and older
Margin of error: plus or minus 5.2 percentage points

 

INTERVIEW DATES: August 6-9, 2015

 

LANDLINE INTRODUCTION:

Hello, my name is _________________ and I’m calling for Princeton Survey Research. We’re conducting a study about some important issues today, and would like to include your household. [RANDOMIZE RESPONDENT SELECTION: May I please speak with the YOUNGEST ADULT MALE, age 18 or older, who is now at home? (IF NO MALE AT HOME NOW, ASK: May I please speak with the YOUNGEST ADULT FEMALE, age 18 or older, who is now at home?) / May I please speak with the YOUNGEST ADULT FEMALE, age 18 or older, who is now at home? (IF NO FEMALE AT HOME NOW, ASK: May I please speak with the YOUNGEST ADULT MALE, age 18 or older, who is now at home?)]

 

CELL PHONE INTRO:

Hello, I am ___ calling for Princeton Survey Research. We’re conducting a study about some important issues today. [IF RESPONDENT SAYS DRIVING/UNABLE TO TAKE CALL: Thank you. We will try you another time…]

 

CELL PHONE SCREENING INTERVIEW:

S1. Are you under 18 years old, OR are you 18 or older? [CONTINUE IF 18 OR OLDER; ALL OTHERS TERMINATE]

READ TO ALL CELL PHONE – INTRODUCTION TO MAIN INTERVIEW: If you are now driving a car or doing any activity requiring your full attention, I need to call you back later. The first question is…

Notes: Results shown in percentages. Due to rounding, percentages may not add to 100%. An asterisk (*) indicates values less than 0.5%. Volunteered responses are indicated by (VOL.).

IMED1. How much would you say you know about a recent agreement involving the United States and Iran’s nuclear program? Do you know (READ)

 

A lot about the agreement 8
A fair amount 32
Not much, 31
Nothing at all 28
(VOL.) Don’t know 1
(VOL.) Refused *

 

IMED2A. Based on what you’ve heard or read in the news, do you think Congress should support or oppose the agreement – or are you unsure?

Based on Form A half sample (n=481)

 

Support 17
Oppose 24
Unsure/Don’t know 57
(VOL.) Refused 1

 

IMED2A-1. If Congress votes to oppose the agreement, how upset would you be (READ)

 

Based on those who support Iran agreement/Form A half sample (n=101)

 

Very 40
Somewhat 32
Not too 13
Not upset at all 10
(VOL.) Don’t know 3
(VOL.) Refused 1

 

IMED2A-2. If Congress votes to support the agreement, how upset would you be (READ)

 

Based on those who oppose Iran agreement//Form A half sample (n=136)

 

Very 56
Somewhat 29
Not too 5
Not upset at all 5
(VOL.) Don’t know 3
(VOL.) Refused 3

Combined results of IMED2A, IMED2A-1 AND IMED2A-2

 

Based on what you’ve heard or read in the news, do you think Congress should support or oppose the agreement – or are you unsure?

 

12 Support (and would be upset if Congress opposes agreement)

5 Support (but not upset if Congress opposes agreement)

59 No opinion

 4 Oppose (but not upset if Congress supports agreement)

21 Oppose (and upset if Congress supports agreement)

 

IMED2A-3. Do you lean toward Congress supporting or opposing the agreement?

Based on those who are unsure about Iran agreement//Form A half sample (n=244)

 

Lean support 16
Lean oppose 18
(VOL.) Don’t lean 13
(VOL.) Don’t know 51
(VOL.) Refused 3

 

IMED3A. Just your best guess – what do you think the nuclear agreement with Iran is intended to do? Does it intend to: [FORM C: READ ANSWERS 1-3, THEN 4; FORM D: READ ANSWERS 3-1, THEN 4] [FORM C IS HALF SAMPLE OF FORM A; FORM D IS OTHER HALF OF SAMPLE OF FORM A]

 

Based on Form A half sample (n=481)

 

Prevent Iran from getting any nuclear weapons 25
     Sure about answer  18
     Not sure about answer   7
Authorize Iran to produce a limited number of nuclear weapons 11
Allow Iran to share U.S. nuclear technology to build nuclear power plants 9
Or are you unsure? 51
(VOL.) Refused 4

 

IMED4A. Are you sure about that, or are you not sure? [IF NECESSARY: that the agreement intends to prevent Iran from getting any nuclear weapons]

 

Based on those who know that the agreement intends to prevent Iran from getting any nuclear weapons (n=127)

 

Sure 74
Not sure 25
(VOL.) Don’t know 1
(VOL.) Refused 0

 

IMED2B. As you may know, the U.S. and other countries have announced a deal to lift economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for Iran agreeing not to produce nuclear weapons. International inspectors would monitor Iran’s facilities, and if Iran is caught breaking the agreement, economic sanctions would be imposed again. Do you think Congress should support or oppose this agreement?

 

Based on Form B half sample (n=519)

 

Support 44
Oppose 40
Unsure/Don’t know 14
(VOL.) Refused 3

 

IMED2B-1. If Congress votes to oppose the agreement, how upset would you be (READ)

Based on those who support Iran agreement/Form B half sample (n=226)

 

Very 17
Somewhat 34
Not too 16
Not upset at all 28
(VOL.) Don’t know 4
(VOL.) Refused 1

 

IMED2B-2. If Congress votes to support the agreement, how upset would you be (READ)

 

Based on those who oppose Iran agreement/Form B half sample (n=212)

 

Very 56
Somewhat 29
Not too 7
Not upset at all 6
(VOL.) Don’t know 1
(VOL.) Refused 1

 

COMBINED RESULTS FROM IMED2B, IMED2B-1, IMED2B-2

 

As you may know, the U.S. and other countries have announced a deal to lift economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for Iran agreeing not to produce nuclear weapons. International inspectors would monitor Iran’s facilities, and if Iran is caught breaking the agreement, economic sanctions would be imposed again. Do you think Congress should support or oppose this agreement?

 

Based on Form B half sample (n=519)

 

22 Support (and upset if Congress opposes agreement)

22 Support (but not upset if Congress opposes agreement)

16 No opinion

 6 Oppose (but not upset if Congress supports agreement)

34 Oppose (and upset if Congress supports agreement)

 

IMED2B-3. Do you lean toward Congress supporting or opposing the agreement?

 

Based on those who are unsure about Iran agreement/Form B half sample (n=81)

 

Lean support 18
Lean oppose 16
(VOL.) Don’t lean 14
(VOL.) Don’t know 44
(VOL.) Refused 7

 

COMBINED RESULTS FROM IMED2B, IMED2B-3

 

As you may know, the U.S. and other countries have announced a deal to lift economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for Iran agreeing not to produce nuclear weapons. International inspectors would monitor Iran’s facilities, and if Iran is caught breaking the agreement, economic sanctions would be imposed again. Do you think Congress should support or oppose this agreement?

 

Based on Form B half sample (n=519)

 

Support 47
Oppose 42
Unsure/Don’t know  8
(VOL.) Refused  3

 

DEMOGRAPHICS

 

I have one last set of questions to help us better understand the people who took part in our survey.

 

SEX Respondent’s sex [DO NOT ASK]

 

Male 49
Female 51

 

EMPLOY Are you now employed full-time, part-time, or not employed?

Employed full-time 44
Employed part-time 12
Not employed 43
(VOL.) Don’t know/Refused *

 

PAR Are you the parent or guardian of any children under 18 years of age?

Yes 32
No 67
(VOL.) Don’t know/Refused 1

 

AGE What is your age?

 

18 to 29 22
30 to 49 30
50 to 64 27
65 and older 18
(VOL.) Refused 3

 

EDUC What is the highest level of school you have completed or the highest degree you have received? [DO NOT READ]

 

Less than high school (Grades 1-8 or no formal schooling) 6
High school incomplete (Grades 9-11 or Grade 12 with NO diploma) 7
High school graduate (Grade 12 with diploma or GED certificate) 28
Some college, no degree (includes some community college) 19
Two year associate degree from a college/university 12
Four year college or university degree/Bachelor’s degree 15
Some postgraduate or professional schooling, no postgraduate degree 1
Postgraduate or professional degree, including master’s, doctorate, medical or law degree 12
Don’t know/Refused 1

 

Summary: Race/Ethnicity

HISP Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban or some other Spanish background?

 

RACE What is your race? Are you white, black, Asian, or some other race? [IF RESPONDENT SAYS HISPANIC OR LATINO, PROBE: Do you consider yourself a WHITE (Hispanic/Latino) or a BLACK (Hispanic/Latino)?

 

White, non-Hispanic 64
Total non-White 34
Black, non-Hispanic 12
Hispanic 15
Asian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic 4
Other, non-Hispanic 2
(VOL.) Don’t know/Refused 2

 

INC Last year – that is, in 2014 – approximately what was your total family income before taxes? Just tell me when I get to the right category.

 

Less than $10,000 10
$10,000 to under $20,000 12
$20,000 to under $30,000 13
$30,000 to under $40,000 8
$40,000 to under $50,000 7
$50,000 to under $75,000 13
$75,000 to under $100,000 7
$100,000 to under $150,000 9
$150,000 or over 6
(VOL.) Don’t know/Refused 14

 

REG Which of these statements best describes you? [READ IN ORDER]

 

Are you ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that you are registered to vote at your current address 71
Are you PROBABLY registered, but there is a chance your registration has lapsed [OR] 5
Are you NOT registered to vote at your current address? 23
Don’t know/Refused  (VOL.) 1

 

PARTY In politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or Independent?

Republican 25
Democrat 30
Independent 36
(VOL.) No preference 6
(VOL.) Other party *
(VOL.) Don’t know/Refused 4

 

That completes the interview. Thank you very much for your time and cooperation. Have a nice day/evening.