# A majority say policy decisions should be guided by scientific research

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/politics/a-majority-say-policy-decisions-should-be-guided-by-scientific-research/

> Indexed question in Politics.

## Reading

A 62% majority of Americans agree that people should use scientific research findings when making public policy decisions, including 27% who strongly agree, according to a May 2026 Verasight survey.

Close to three-in-ten (28%) neither agree nor disagree, while just 10% disagree, including 5% who strongly disagree.

## Topline

Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statement: People should use scientific research findings when making public policy decisions.

A majority say policy decisions should be guided by scientific research.

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.

- Somewhat agree: 34.5%
- Neither agree nor disagree: 28.3%
- Strongly agree: 27.0%
- Somewhat disagree: 5.1%
- Strongly disagree: 5.1%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-05-11 → 2026-05-11
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.3%
- Module: politics
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-4.13](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-4.13)

## Citation

Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-4.13](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-4.13)