Nine-in-ten Americans say social science research helps inform policy decisions
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted March 6 to 16, 2026, 89% of Americans said social science research is at least somewhat important for helping policymakers and community leaders make informed decisions. This includes 28% who said extremely important, 28% who said very important, and 33% who said somewhat important.
About one in ten said social science research is not too or not at all important (11%), with 8% who said not too important and 3% who said not at all important.
Topline scale
89% of Americans say social science research is important for informing policy decisions.
How important do you believe social science research (such as studies on education, social causes of health, crime, economy, and community well-being) is for helping policymakers and community leaders make informed decisions?
n = 1,000 · Mar 6–16, 2026 · MoE ±3.5%
Methodology
Full 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 | Mar 6–16, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.5% |
| Module | Module 3: Elections, Civic Life, & the Environment |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044
How important do you believe social science research (such as studies on education, social causes of health, crime, economy, and community well-being) is for helping policymakers and community leaders make informed decisions?
Cite this question
Verasight Client Omnibus Survey #2026-044, fielded March 6-16, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.