MTSUPoll

Latest State Findings, Fall 2006

• Growth has some appeal, but brings traffic woes
• Attitudes toward immigrants unimproved by politically correct terminology
• Nashvillians among least pleased with local schools
• Legislative approval up but still low
• Health care again No. 1 state problem
• Tennessee's mood brighter than national mood
• Bredesen's ratings shade upward
• Perception of state economy, direction looks up

Latest Political Findings, Fall 2006

• Senate race dead heat, but regional differences pronounced
• Bredesen well ahead of Bryson in governor�s race
• Frist looking a tad more presidential, many unsure
• Gay marriage support tanks as amendment nears
• Could vote incentives bring "wrong people" to polls
• Most hawkish on Iran, half say Iraq a mistake
• Grim national mood a party matter
• Perception of national economy, direction sour
• Bush approval remains low

The MTSU Poll's mission is to provide independent, non-partisan, and unbiased public opinion data regarding major social, political, and ethical issues affecting Tennessee.

Surveys are conducted twice yearly under the direction of faculty specialists in public opinion research in accordance with scientifically validated polling standards. Students serve as poll interviewers as an integral part of their training in mass communication.

The poll's directors welcome suggestions about issues and topics from any individual or group. The poll's directors are, however, charged to select, formulate, and interpret results independent of outside interests.

The poll fulfills the major goals of Middle Tennessee State University in that it provides an opportunity for student- and faculty- centered research in partnership with the citizens of Tennessee and the news media that serve them.

The following people supervise the MTSU Poll:

• Ken Blake
  • Director, The MTSU Poll
  • Associate Director, Office of Communication Research
• Robert Wyatt
  • Associate Director, the MTSU Poll
  • Director, Office of Communication Research

Sponsored by the Office of Communication Research at Middle Tennessee State University's College of Mass Communication, the poll tracks attitudes regarding free expression, faith in major institutions, and a wide range of public issues.

The poll is supported by MTSU's Office of Communication Research, College of Mass Communication, and School of Journalism.

• Students wishing to register for an MTSU Poll session should receive and ID and password either 1) from their instructor or 2) at the front desk in the Mass Comm office. Once you have an ID and password, click here.
• The polling lab is in BAS S302. To learn how to find the polling lab and what to expect when you get, go to: http://www.mtsu.edu/~commres/findlab.htm
• MTSU faculty using the MTSU Poll in their classes will find helpful material at: www.mtsu.edu/~commres/271/271.htm. A password is required.

NOTE: Data files may be downloaded and analyzed with these restrictions: Researchers wishing to make academic or scientific use of these data must request and obtain permission in writing from the Director of the Office of Communication Research prior to presentation or publication. For general descriptive use, we ask only that the Middle Tennessee Poll at Middle Tennessee State University be cited as the source of the data.