# Nine-in-ten Americans say social science research helps inform policy decisions

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/politics/nine-in-ten-americans-say-social-science-research-helps-inform-policy-decisions/

> Indexed question in Politics.

## Reading

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

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?

89% of Americans say social science research is important for informing policy decisions.

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.

- Somewhat important: 33.1%
- Extremely important: 28.2%
- Very important: 27.9%
- Not too important: 7.8%
- Not at all important: 3.0%

## 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: 2026-03-06 → 2026-03-16
- 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

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044#q-3-31](https://reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044#q-3-31)

## Citation

Verasight Client Omnibus Survey #2026-044, fielded March 6-16, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044#q-3-31](https://reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044#q-3-31)