American Association for Public Opinion Research

American Association for Public Opinion Research
Company type	Professional association
Industry	Public opinion research, survey methodology
Founded	1947
Founder	Archibald Crossley, George Gallup, Elmo Roper
Area served	Global
Products	Public Opinion Quarterly, Survey Practice, Journal of Survey Statistics and Methodology (journals)
Website	www.aapor.org

The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) is a global professional body comprising over 2,000 members drawn from academia, media, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Established by influential pollsters Archibald Crossley, George Gallup, and Elmo Roper, AAPOR is responsible for publishing three scholarly journals: Public Opinion Quarterly, Survey Practice, and the Journal of Survey Statistics and Methodology. The organization also organizes an annual conference dedicated to research and enforces a "Code of Professional Ethics and Practices" that all members pledge to uphold.

AAPOR underscores the significance of public opinion research as a cornerstone of democratic processes, guiding policy decisions and mirroring societal views. Through its conferences, ethical frameworks, and publications, the association champions integrity and appropriate application of public opinion studies.

Standards and ethics

Central to AAPOR’s purpose is the promotion of ethical standards. Its members commit to adhering to the Code of Professional Ethics and Practices, which delineates acceptable conduct in public opinion and survey research as well as the responsible use of findings. This Code extends its applicability beyond members to encompass all researchers in the field.

Researchers are obligated to guarantee data reliability and validity, present methodologies and results transparently, protect participant rights, secure confidential information, and provide clients with comprehensive disclosures regarding research limitations. The most recent update to the Code was ratified in April 2021.

Transparency Initiative

Initiated in October 2014, AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative (TI) advocates for full disclosure of survey methods when disseminating results. It sets forth principles for transparency and invites organizations to join by committing to these standards. While TI membership does not evaluate methodological rigor, it seeks to improve comprehension of how survey methods impact quality, uphold ethical norms, and assist both media outlets and the general public in assessing survey credibility. As of 2023, the initiative counts 98 members.

Membership

AAPOR’s membership primarily consists of professionals specializing in survey methodology and public opinion research. Their work spans political polling, governmental surveys, and academic investigations. Additionally, many members are involved in teaching survey research techniques at universities or within professional training environments.

Diversity Initiative

Since 2016, AAPOR has actively promoted diversity within its ranks and across the profession through efforts such as affinity groups—voluntary associations formed around shared professional or personal interests. The first officially recognized affinity group was established in 2017 focusing on cross-cultural and multilingual research. In 2019, AAPOR showcased leadership trajectories of women professionals through its electronic journal. In 2023, it introduced the W.E.B. Du Bois Fellowship in collaboration with Cornell’s Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, aimed at supporting graduate students from historically underrepresented racial or ethnic backgrounds pursuing careers in polling research.

AAPOR Honors

Each year, AAPOR bestows awards that celebrate outstanding achievements and promote educational growth for students and early-stage researchers. These accolades represent the organization's most prestigious distinctions:

Warren J. Mitofsky Innovators Award
Seymour Sudman Student Paper Competition
Burns "Bud" Roper Fellow Award
AAPOR Policy Impact Award
AAPOR Book Award
WAPOR/AAPOR Janet A. Harkness Student Paper Award
AAPOR Public Service Award
Student Conference Award
Student-Faculty Diversity Pipeline Awards
AAPOR Lifetime Achievement Award

Reports

AAPOR regularly appoints specialized working groups to tackle significant challenges within the survey research sector. These teams generate reports that introduce innovative techniques, address pressing issues, or offer recommendations for particular research practices. Among the prominent Task Force Reports are:

June 2021 – AAPOR/WAPOR Task Force Report on Quality in Comparative Surveys
April 2008 – AAPOR Cell Phone Task Force Report
February 2015 – Task Force Report on Big Data
September 2014 – Current Knowledge and Considerations Regarding Survey Refusals
May 2014 – Social Media and Public Opinion Research: Report on Emerging Technologies
May 2014 – Mobile Technologies for Conducting and Replacing Surveys
September 2013 – Polling and Democracy: Report on Public Opinion and Leadership
May 2013 – Report on Non-Probability Sampling
October 2012 – Statement on Understanding a "credibility interval"
October 2010 – AAPOR Cell Phone Task Force Report
March 2010 – Opt-In Online Panel Task Force Report
May 2009 – Report on Human Subjects Protection Training Requirements
March 2009 – Evaluation of the Methodology of the 2008 Pre-Election Primary Polls

These publications foster best practices and drive progress in survey methodology, assisting organizations in adapting to new technologies, data complexities, and shifting industry requirements.

Conferences

AAPOR organizes an annual conference dedicated to public opinion research, survey methodology, and their practical applications, serving as a cornerstone event for the association. The milestone 75th Anniversary conference planned for 2020 transitioned from a physical gathering to a virtual format in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Beyond this flagship event, AAPOR facilitates professional growth through short courses, webinars, and affinity group meetings that encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking among researchers and professionals.

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