Frequently Asked Questions about Pew Research Center’s 2023 National Survey

Frequently Asked Questions

To read answers to these frequently asked questions, click an item below or scroll down.

• Why should I help?
• What is the survey about?
• How was I selected?
• I received an invitation to take the survey. How do I get started?
• I received a text message about this study. Is it legitimate?
• How can I find my password?
• My password didn’t work. What should I do?
• Who is eligible to participate?
• Why do you want the adult with the next birthday to complete the survey?
• How long is the survey?
• How do I get my $10?
• Who is Pew Research Center?
• Do you work for a special interest group like a political or religious group?
• What are my answers used for?
• Are you trying to sell me something?
• Are my answers kept private?
• How will you protect my privacy?
• I typed in the study website and got redirected. Is that ok?
• Can my family or friends participate too?
• Where can I get more information?

Why should I help?

Your voice matters. We listen to people of different ages, races, and backgrounds. We sum up what we hear and share the results with people and communities to inform decisions. In addition, you will also get a $10 thank you after completing the survey.

What is the survey about?

The survey asks about a variety of topics that affect you and your community. For example, it will ask what you think about the role of the government, prayer in school, and women’s rights.

How was I selected?

Your address was randomly selected from a list of all addresses in the U.S.

I received an invitation to take the survey. How do I get started?

You have the choice to complete the survey online, over the phone, or by mail.

To complete online, go to www.PewResearch.org/2023study. When asked, enter the password given to you in your invitation letter.

To complete over the phone, call 877-267-7915. When asked, provide the password given to you in your invitation letter.

To complete by mail, fill out the paper survey that you received by mail. Return it in the pre-paid envelope.

I received a text message about this study. Is it legitimate?

Yes, some people will receive an invitation via text message. The text will come from a phone number with a 202 area code.

To complete the survey online, click the link in the text message. To complete by phone, call 877-267-7915.

How can I find my password?

Your password is located in the invitation that was mailed to you. See below for how to find it. 

My password didn’t work. What should I do?

Enter your 8-digit password without the dash (for example: 12345678). If that does not work, email us at 2023study@pewresearch.org or call 877-267-7915.

Who is eligible to participate?

All adults (18 years old or older) who received an invitation letter are eligible to participate. Click here to get started.

Why do you want the adult with the next birthday to complete the survey?

This is a scientific method used to make sure we represent all people and voices. If you are the only adult in your home, please fill out the survey yourself.

How long is the survey?

It takes most people about 20 minutes to complete.

How do I get my $10?

At the end of the survey, you will have a choice between a $10 Amazon, Walmart, or Mastercard gift card. Gift cards are emailed or mailed to you, depending on how you completed the survey. The choice of gift card may vary by the mode you used to complete the survey.

Who is Pew Research Center?

We are a staff of 160 people. We give Americans a chance to share how they feel about what’s going on near them and across the U.S. Learn more about us at www.PewResearch.org.

Do you work for a special interest group like a political or religious group?

No! We do not work with any special interest groups.  We work hard to write neutral, fair questions. We collect and provide facts that all people, parties, and groups can trust.

What are my answers used for?

We provide information that people use to make decisions and form opinions. Information we provide is often used by students for learning, on the news to keep people up-to-date, and by local groups to help communities.

Are you trying to sell me something?

No! We will never try to sell you anything.

Are my answers kept private?

Yes. We will never sell your information or release your name or identifying information to the public.

How will you protect my privacy?

We follow a variety of security measures to make sure your answers stay private. Specifically:

• Any information you provide is saved on secure computers or in locked drawers. Only a small number of members on the project team have access to your answers.
• We limit the amount of personally identifying information* or PII we collect to the minimum we need to accurately conduct the survey.  In other words, if we don’t need it, we won’t ask.
• When we ask for PII, we store your survey answers separately from this information. This means people who have your name can’t see how you answered the questions and vice versa.
• Once we no longer need your PII, it is permanently deleted.
• We never make your PII such as your name or address public. But, we do publish de-identified datasets on our website. This means that we will publish the answers you gave, but they will be anonymous. In other words, no one will know what you said.

In addition to the specific policies above, we are a member of the American Association of Public Opinion Research’s Transparency Initiative. As such, we follow their Code of Ethics, including the code to protect survey participants’ privacy.

* By “personal identifying information” (PII), we mean information that could personally identify you, such as your name, address, email address, geographic location, or the names of members of your household. 

I typed in the study website and got redirected. Is that ok?

Yes, you’re still in the right place. The study website in your letter or email is www.PewResearch.org/2023study. It will redirect you to https://2023study.norc.org.

Can my family or friends participate too?

Unfortunately, no. Only people who are randomly selected and contacted by Pew Research Center can participate. Random selection is important to make sure the results are accurate. Learn more about random sampling in this video.

Where can I get more information?

Call us toll-free at 877-267-7915 or email us at 2023study@PewResearch.org.