This webinar provides practical guidance on preparing effective abstracts for the 2025 WAPOR conference. It covers essential components of a strong abstract, tips to avoid common pitfalls, and strategies for highlighting the significance of your research. Additionally, the session discusses submission types, timelines, review processes, and available paper awards to help researchers maximize their WAPOR conference experience.

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This webinar addresses the critical issue of nonresponse in panel surveys and explores how machine learning (ML) models can predict and mitigate nonresponse. The session reviews ML techniques for nonresponse propensity modeling, demonstrating their effectiveness in various panel studies, and presents experimental results showcasing ML-based adaptive designs in practice.

This webinar was presented by John ‘Jack’ Collins (University of Mannheim) and Christoph Kern (Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, MZES).

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This webinar addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by big data in the field of public opinion research. As traditional survey participation declines and costs rise, the exploration of alternative data sources has become crucial. The webinar will delve into various types of big data, including administrative, digital trace, social media, and sensor data, evaluating their potential and pitfalls. Participants will gain insights into the proper application of these data sources in research, balancing quality with cost and accessibility.

This webinar was presented by Professor Trent D. Buskirk. Access here.

This webinar explores the evolving landscape of survey research in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on mixed mode and mixed device surveys. The presenters discuss the benefits and challenges of these methods, particularly the use of smartphones and tablets in survey completion. They also provide insights into current best practices for implementing these approaches effectively.

This webinar was presented by Professor Edith de Leeuw and Anne Elevelt, PhD Candidate. Access here.

This webinar discussed practical aspects of implementing, combining, and weighting data collected through different modes, offering insights from various projects.

This webinar was presented by Tobias Gummer, Oliviero Marchese, and Trevor Tompson. Access here.

This webinar focuses on the necessity of using mixed-mode sampling in public opinion research, especially in the face of rapidly evolving communication and societal landscapes. It was discussed how relying solely on one data collection mode is insufficient in obtaining representative samples, emphasizing the importance of adapting approaches based on market-specific challenges. The webinar also covers the complexities involved in implementing mixed-mode sampling, including challenges in questionnaire design, fieldwork, and data weighting.

This webinar was presented by Sébastien Dallaire. Access here.

This webinar focuses on the development and adaptation of web-push survey methodologies across various countries, drawing on extensive experience in creating and refining web-push methods, which involve initial postal contacts followed by requests for online responses. The session discusses factors that improve response rates and reduce nonresponse errors, as well as the challenges surveyors face when adopting these methods, particularly the resistance to moving away from traditional data collection modes. The need for further research to address these issues and provide better guidance is highlighted.

Presented by Professor Don A. Dillman. Access here.

This webinar explores the potential and challenges of using wearables, apps, and sensors for data collection in behavioral and social research, discussing how these technologies can collect observational data in real time, augmenting or replacing self-reports in surveys. The session also addresses issues related to participant selectivity, willingness to provide data, ethics, privacy, and the errors associated with these technologies. The webinar provides an overview of available technologies and how they can be implemented in surveys.

Presented by Professor Florian Keusch. Access here.

This webinar introduced two valuable resources for researchers and survey practitioners, facilitated by the Survey Research Center International Unit at the University of Michigan. The resources include a series of online video short courses that cover key stages of the survey life cycle, and the Cross-Cultural Survey Guidelines, which promote best practices for multinational, multicultural, and multiregional surveys.

Presented by Dr. Zeina Mneimneh and M.Sc. Julie de Jong. Access here.

This webinar focused on recent developments in multinational, multiregional, and multicultural (3MC) survey research methodology. It featured presentations on various topics, including improving 3MC comparability using the Total Survey Error Paradigm, choosing interview languages in different countries, examining translation and response scale use in 3MC surveys, and data harmonization, documentation, and dissemination. The session provided insights from distinguished experts who contributed to the book “Advances in Comparative Survey Methods.”

Presented by Professor Anna Andreenkova, Professor Tom W. Smith, Professor Irina Tomescu-Dubrow, and Professor Ting Yan. Access here.

This webinar reviews the methods used in online surveys with both probability and convenience samples, comparing the accuracy of their results. The presentation discusses the optimal methods for survey data collection to ensure reliability and validity in research outcomes.

Presented by Professor Jon Krosnick. Access here.

This webinar discusses the use of gridded population estimates as sample frames for household surveys, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries where traditional census data may be outdated or inaccurate. The presentation covers who uses gridded population sampling, when it is appropriate, and the strengths and limitations of current data, tools, and methods. It also introduces a generalized manual for designing and implementing gridded population surveys, providing step-by-step guidance for practitioners.

Presented by Professor Dana Thomson and Professor Dale Rhoda. Access here.

This webinar provides an overview of sampling and field approaches for surveying hard-to-reach populations (HRP). The presentation includes discussions on identifying HRP, survey methods tailored for these populations, and empirical examples and case studies, including those related to forced labor in Brazil and Argentina. The session aims to equip participants with practical insights into the logistics and techniques for effectively surveying HRP.

Presented by Angelo Cozzubo. Access here.

This webinar addresses the challenges and opportunities of ex-post harmonization of cross-national survey data. The presentation highlights the process of reprocessing existing datasets, which can enhance broader country and time coverage but also introduces substantial challenges such as variations in data quality, inter-survey differences, and the risk of data loss. The experience shared is based on the Survey Data Recycling project, which built a large-scale harmonized database covering 4,402,489 respondents across 3,329 national surveys conducted from 1966 to 2017 in 156 countries.

Presented by Professor Irina Tomescu-Dubrow and Professor Ilona Wysmułek. Access here.

This webinar focuses on the principles of effective data visualization, highlighting its importance for both exploring data and communicating research results. The session reviews key visualization techniques and provides practical examples of how they can be implemented to improve research quality.

Presented by Professor Kieran Healy. Access here.

This webinar discusses the resilience of democratic regimes in the face of new and ongoing challenges, with a focus on media coverage, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on democratic attitudes, and threats to democracy in Latin America. The session explores trends of democratic disconnect or consolidation and examines how democracies are responding to these issues.

Presented by Professor Stuart Soroka, Professor Roberto Stefan Foa, and Professor Aníbal Pérez-Liñán. Access here.

This webinar discusses public opinion research findings and methodologies from countries in the Middle East and North Africa, with a focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on data collection methods. The session covers topics such as the trust and mistrust between polling institutes and various actors, the relevance of survey research to public policy, and the challenges of meeting quality and trust standards in polling within the Arab region.

Presented by Nebil Belaam, Dr. Fares Braizat, and Dr. Munqith Dagher. Access here.

This webinar explored the challenges faced by pollsters around the world in conducting and publishing electoral polls during politically and methodologically difficult times, including the impact of the pandemic. The session featured presentations on polling in Hong Kong, experiences with U.S. national election polling, challenges for election polls in Mexico, and the complexities of conducting electoral polls in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Presented by Robert Chung, Jill Darling, Professor Alejandro Moreno, and Paul Nnanwobu. Access here.

This joint webinar between WAPOR and the Global Barometer Survey focused on the methodological and practical challenges faced by public opinion research during the COVID-19 pandemic. The session also explored emerging research agendas on state capacity, good governance, and the socio-political impact of the pandemic. The discussion included experiences from regional barometers across various global regions, highlighting the complexities of conducting public opinion research during a global crisis.

Presented by Professor Min-hua Huang, Professor Sandeep Shastri, Professor Christian Haerpfer, Professor Boniface Dulani, Professor Marta Lagos, and Professor Michael Robbins. Access here.

This webinar focuses on the challenges and experiences of public opinion researchers worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. It addresses how researchers adapted to the rapidly changing circumstances, the new and unpredictable nature of the survey topics, and the importance of understanding public perceptions in a time of collective action. The discussion includes insights on the questions used to measure public moods, data collection methods during the pandemic, and the most significant findings observed.

Presented by Constanza Cilley, Gary Langer, Wai Yu See Toh, and Torbjörn Sjöström. Access here.

Large Language Models (LLMs) have become an increasingly significant tool in political research, particularly in analyzing and forecasting electoral behavior. Yet, while these methodologies are indeed a powerful tool for researchers, they also introduce systematic biases that can shape interpretations of voter preferences. This webinar will explore how these biases manifest in predictive models and what this means for the study of elections and Public Opinion. This webinar presents research examining the extent of context-dependent biases in LLM-based predictions of individual public opinion by predicting the results of the 2024 European Parliament elections.

Presented by Michael Leah von der Heyde (Germany).

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The webinar begins with an introduction to the foundational concepts of NLP and Generative AI, establishing a theoretical framework for their application within survey research. This foundational understanding is crucial for appreciating subsequent discussions on the utility and limitations of these methods. Following this, we will provide an overview of the key developments in the integration of NLP and Generative AI into surveys, focusing on innovations in the recent methodological literature.

Joshua Y. Lerner and Soubhik Barari (NORC at the University of Chicago, USA).

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On January 20, the United States will transition from the presidency of Joseph R. Biden to Donald Trump. This represents only the second time in history that the US president will have served a second non-consecutive term. President-elect Trump has proposed changes in a variety of areas of policy, including many concerning relationships with other countries. Of particular importance are various policies related to the two countries bordering the US – Canada and Mexico – with proposals for increased border security, deportation of unauthorized migrants, and significant tariffs. European nations may also be significantly impacted by increased tariffs as well as changes in support for defense and security agreements such as NATO.

Presented by Michael Adams (Canada), Francisco Abundis Luna (Mexico), Nicolas Becuwe (Belgium).

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As electoral processes reflect the political attitudes and behaviors of diverse populations, this session focuses on the methodological and contextual challenges in capturing these insights, particularly in countries with unique sociopolitical landscapes such as the Eastern Eruopean Region. Bringing together experts from Germany, Poland, and Hungary, the webinar will examine a range of topics, including voter behavior, political preferences, and the shifting survey environments in these nations. Discussions will highlight the interplay between innovative methodologies, such as large-scale electoral surveys and survey experiments, and the broader political contexts shaping these efforts. From the experiences of immigrant-origin voters in Germany to the political polling environment in Hungary and beyond, the webinar offers a comparative perspective on the challenges and opportunities in understanding public opinion in these dynamic regions.This session provides valuable insights for academics, practitioners, and anyone interested in the intersection of public opinion research and electoral politics in Europe.

Presented by Jonas Elis (Germany); Michal Kotnarowski (Poland); Stefkovics Ádám (Hungary). Moderator: Jan-Karem Hohne (Germany).

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In 2024, the world witnessed a historic surge in elections, with over a billion people already casting their votes. As Time Magazine describes it, this is a “make-or-break year for democracy,” a year where the sheer volume and diversity of elections could significantly influence the global democratic landscape. At the center of this global wave lies Asia, a region where elections in countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, South Korea, and Indonesia have drawn international attention. Together, these nations represent over 25% of the world’s population, making their choices and democratic processes a critical lens through which to view the current state of democracy.

This webinar was presented by Agus Nurudin, CEO and Managing Director of Nielsen Indonesia; Bilal Gilani, Executive Director of Gallup Pakistan; M. Saidul Haq, Founder of SRGB Research & Consulting, Bangladesh; and Dr. Pradeep Peiris, Senior Lecturer at the University of Colombo.

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As Ghana approaches its highly anticipated 2024 presidential election, this webinar explored the critical factors shaping the electoral landscape in this closely contested race. Discussions analyzed voter sentiment, regional voting patterns, candidate profiles, and emerging influences such as youth participation, social media, and the rising cost of living.

This webinar was moderated by Dr. Irenus Gundona (WAPOR SSA).

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This webinar showcased insights from a comparative cross-national survey conducted across eight countries: Pakistan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Libya, and Jordan. The survey explores public perceptions and attitudes toward the Gaza war, one year after the conflict’s outbreak, offering a comprehensive look at its regional and international impact.

This webinar was presented by Dr. Munqith Dagher (IIACSS, Iraq/ Jordan), Dr. Nader Saeed (AWRAD, Palestine), and Dr. Samir Abu Rumman (Princeton University, USA/ World of Opinions, Kuwait). The session was moderated by Dr. Robert Chung (WAPOR, Hong Kong).

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With the rapid increase in mobile phone penetration, CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing) and SMS surveys are revolutionizing survey research in Sub-Saharan Africa. This webinar describes their design, implementation, and best practices, focusing on coverage, representativeness, and data quality from a Total Survey Error (TSE) perspective.

This webinar was presented by John Murunga (GeoPoll, Kenya) and Dr. Charles Lau (GeoPoll, USA), and moderated by Dr. Chase Harrison (Harvard University, USA) and Alhi Nguessan (EMC, Côte d’Ivoire).

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This webinar explored two decades of public opinion tracking in Iraq, highlighting the country’s political shifts, the rise and fall of extremist groups, and their impact on the West. It also covered public opinion research in Syria since 2012, addressing the role of foreign entities and how they are perceived locally.

This webinar was presented by Johnny Heald (ORB International, UK), Dr. Munqith Dagher (IIACSS, Jordan/Iraq), and Firas Al Kayal (Syrian & Levant Market Compass, Syria). The session was moderated by Dr. Chase Harrison (Harvard University, USA).

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This webinar, organized in partnership with WAPOR Latinoamérica, explored polling in Argentina and Chile, focusing on recent elections, public opinion trends, and methodological challenges in the southern cone. Discussions covered the role of surveys in measuring voter sentiment, addressing errors, and the relationship between elites and public confidence in polls.

This webinar was presented by Ana Iparraguirre (Director of Dynamis Consulting, Argentina), Carlos Fara (President of Fara Veggetti, Argentina), and Ricardo González (Director of LEAS, Chile). The session was moderated by Chase Harrison (Harvard University, USA).

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Afrobarometer, a pan-African, non-partisan survey network, has conducted public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, the economy, and society across Africa since 1999. This webinar will share Afrobarometer’s experience conducting cross-national surveys in about 35 African countries, navigating the continent’s diverse political, cultural, and democratic landscapes.

This webinar was presented by Dr. Boniface Dulani (Director of Surveys, Afrobarometer) and moderated by Dr. Chase Harrison (Harvard University, USA).

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Problems with water are increasing in frequency and severity worldwide, but many of these issues remain invisible due to the lack of quantification of human experiences with water access, use, and reliability. This webinar introduced the Water InSecurity Experiences (WISE) Scales, the first cross-country equivalent way of measuring human experiences with water. Developed by Sera Young and her team, the WISE Scales provide holistic and precise insights into water insecurity in just three minutes, with applications in over 50 countries. Pablo Paras shared the scale’s implementation in Mexico, highlighting its potential for the global opinion research community.

This webinar was presented by Dr. Sera Young (Northwestern University, USA) and Pablo Paras (Data OPM, Mexico), with moderation by Dr. Chase Harrison (Harvard University, USA).

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This webinar presented findings from the Eurasia Barometer 2021, focusing on social and political attitudes across several countries in the Eurasian region. The discussion covered various topics including internet and social networks in Kazakhstan, perceptions of autocracy, income distribution, corruption, and experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as public perceptions of democracy in Armenia and social and political attitudes in Georgia.

Presented by Yun-han Chu, Ksenyia Kizilova, Christian Haerpfer, Botagoz Rakisheva, Heghine Manasyan, and Koka Kapanadze. Access here.

This webinar discussed the electoral survey landscape in Central and Eastern Europe, addressing political, methodological, and other challenges in pre- and post-electoral surveys in the Czech Republic, Russia, Georgia, and Poland. The presentations covered topics such as the changing landscape of pre-election surveys in the Czech Republic, insights from Duma elections in Russia, challenges in public opinion research in Georgia, and the impact of mixed modes on political polling in Poland during the post-pandemic period.

Presented by Paulina Tabery, Denis Volkov, Dr. Zarina Burkadze, and Michal Kotnarowski. Access here.

This webinar focuses on the public opinion perceptions of social, economic, and political challenges in Latin America. The speakers discussed gender equality, violence, and sexual harassment, democratic attitudes and regime support, perceptions of wellbeing, and intergenerational differences in public opinion. The discussion drew on data from major public opinion research projects in the region, including AmericasBarometer, Latinobarómetro, the World Values Survey, and the Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research (WIN).

Presented by Urpi Torrado, Professor Noam Lupu, Marta Lagos, and Professor Alejandro Moreno. Access here.