The Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel has members from all across America who are invited to join and take surveys. We make every effort to give a voice to people of all communities, all ages, all groups and all lifestyles. As a member of the American Trends Panel, your opinions will be heard by policy makers, civic leaders, business leaders, journalists and citizens around the country.
To learn more about the American Trends Panel, watch this 90-second video or read the answers to frequently asked questions below. If you still have questions, feel free to call us at 800-405-1201, or email us at info@AmericanTrendsPanel.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
To read answers to these frequently asked questions, click an item below or scroll down.
- What do I have to do as a member of the American Trends Panel?
- What are the surveys about?
- How long are the surveys?
- How do I know how much I will get paid for each survey?
- How often will I be asked to complete a survey?
- How do I get my payment?
- How was I selected?
- Who is eligible to join the American Trends Panel?
- I don’t think I have anything important to say. Why should I join the American Trends Panel?
- How can I complete the surveys?
- Who is Pew Research Center?
- Are you a Democratic or Republican group?
- What are my answers used for?
- Are you trying to sell me something?
- Will people see my answers?
- Who pays for these surveys?
What do I have to do as a member of the American Trends Panel?
We will email you once or twice a month asking you to complete a short, online survey. We will pay you a small token as a thank you for each survey you complete.
What are the surveys about?
The surveys ask how you feel about what’s going on around you and across the U.S. For example, surveys might ask your opinion about the economy, politics, work, family, technology, religion, or social media.
How long are the surveys?
It takes most people about 15 minutes to complete most of our surveys. Once in a while, we will send shorter surveys.
How do I know how much I will get paid for each survey?
Each email invitation we send you will tell you how much you will get paid to complete that survey.
How often will I be asked to complete a survey?
Most people are invited to complete 1 or 2 surveys per month.
How do I get my payment?
When you join the panel, you are given the choice to receive payment via Amazon gift code or a check. Amazon gift codes are provided as soon as you complete a survey. Checks are mailed within 4 weeks.
How was I selected?
You were randomly selected at the end of another survey you completed for Pew Research Center.
Who is eligible to join the American Trends Panel?
All adults (18 years old or older) who received an invitation to join the American Trends Panel are eligible to join.
I don’t think I have anything important to say. Why should I join the American Trends Panel?
Having no opinion is also helpful! We provide information that leaders and others use to make decisions and form opinions. It is helpful for leaders to know what Americans don’t think is important or have no opinion about.
How can I complete the surveys?
All surveys are online. You can complete them on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
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/about.
Are you a Democratic or Republican group?
No! We do not side with any political party, and we don’t take any positions on issues. We work hard to write neutral, fair questions. We collect and provide facts that all people and parties can trust.
What are my answers used for?
We summarize results from our surveys at www.pewresearch.org. These results are used by leaders and others to make decisions and form opinions. Results we provide are often used by students for learning, by the government to make laws, 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. We will also never sell or give your identifying information to anyone outside of our research team. Our privacy policy includes information regarding the data we collect and how we use and protect your survey responses and personal information.
Will people see my answers?
We collect answers from thousands of people and summarize them. Only a few research team members will ever know which person said what. This includes some people who work at Pew Research Center and a data collection contractor, Ipsos, that helps us manage the survey process.
We will never publish your name, email, phone number, or address. For more details, please read our privacy policy.
Who pays for these surveys?
Pew Research Center. We pay for most of our surveys through a yearly grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts.
American Trends Panel Contact Information
For questions about the American Trends Panel or if you have technical questions or difficulty accessing a survey, please email info@AmericanTrendsPanel.org or call toll-free 800-405-1201 between 9 a.m. and 12 a.m. Eastern Time on weekdays, and 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time on weekends.
