Survey Results and Statistics for [Academic Survey 2004]
  Survey Views 296
  Survey Responses 134
 
1. How have you used the televised floor proceedings of the U.S. House of Representatives?
(check all that apply)
Frequency Distribution Analysis
1. How have you used the televised floor proceedings of the U.S. House of Representatives?
(check all that apply)
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  In scholarly research   36 11.92% Yes
 2  As a lecture tool   63 20.86% Yes
 3  As a means to spur classroom discussion   64 21.19% Yes
 4  As material for class assignments   23 7.62% Yes
 5  As a way to follow House activities   107 35.43% Yes
 6  Have not used the proceedings   9 2.98% Yes
Total 302 100%

Mean : 3.427
Mean Percentile : 59.55%
Standard Deviation : 1.507
2. Which types of floor proceedings do you watch or use?
(check all that apply)
Frequency Distribution Analysis
2. Which types of floor proceedings do you watch or use?
(check all that apply)
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Procedural debates   82 18.06% Yes
 2  Policy debates   115 25.33% Yes
 3  Speeches by specific Members   74 16.30% Yes
 4  “One-minute” speeches   61 13.44% Yes
 5  “Special Orders” speeches   42 9.25% Yes
 6  Special joint sessions such as the State of Union or speeches by visiting heads of state   74 16.30% Yes
 7  Have not used the proceedings   6 1.32% Yes
Total 454 100%

Mean : 3.247
Mean Percentile : 67.90%
Standard Deviation : 1.762
3. To best understand Congress, which is the more valuable format for the electorate to watch?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
3. To best understand Congress, which is the more valuable format for the electorate to watch?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  House floor debate   20 15.27% Yes
 2  Congressional hearings   23 17.56% Yes
 3  Both equally   82 62.60% Yes
 4  Don't know, not certain   6 4.58% Yes
Total 131 100%

Mean : 2.565
Mean Percentile : 60.88%
Standard Deviation : 0.805
4. In the age of the televised Congress, what is the primary motivation for most Members of Congress to speak on the floor?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
4. In the age of the televised Congress, what is the primary motivation for most Members of Congress to speak on the floor?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  To influence other Members   9 6.82% Yes
 2  To communicate with their constituents   34 25.76% Yes
 3  To inform the general public about policy issues   14 10.61% Yes
 4  To help their political party   12 9.09% Yes
 5  To mobilize activist groups   8 6.06% Yes
 6  To raise their personal visibility   55 41.67% Yes
Total 132 100%

Mean : 4.068
Mean Percentile : 48.86%
Standard Deviation : 1.871
5. In recent years, more Members are using charts, graphs and photographs on the House floor to illustrate their arguments. Which statement better reflects your opinion?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
5. In recent years, more Members are using charts, graphs and photographs on the House floor to illustrate their arguments. Which statement better reflects your opinion?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Charts and photographs are useful becaue they communicate policy issues to the television audience.   106 79.70% Yes
 2  Charts and photographs detract from the proper decorum of a legislative body.   27 20.30% Yes
Total 133 100%

Mean : 1.203
Mean Percentile : 89.85%
Standard Deviation : 0.404
6a. If a Member wants to influence the viewing public, which type of floor speech generally provides the most effective tool?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
6a. If a Member wants to influence the viewing public, which type of floor speech generally provides the most effective tool?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  A speech during a policy debate   84 63.16% Yes
 2  A speech during a procedural debate   1 0.75% Yes
 3  A “One-minute” speech   11 8.27% Yes
 4  A “Special Orders” speech   14 10.53% Yes
 5  Don’t know, not certain   23 17.29% Yes
Total 133 100%

Mean : 2.180
Mean Percentile : 76.39%
Standard Deviation : 1.637
6b. If a Member wants to influence the viewing public, which type of floor speech generally provides the least effective tool?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
6b. If a Member wants to influence the viewing public, which type of floor speech generally provides the least effective tool?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  A speech during a policy debate   2 1.50% Yes
 2  A speech during a procedural debate   44 33.08% Yes
 3  A “One-minute” speech   36 27.07% Yes
 4  A “Special Orders” speech   31 23.31% Yes
 5  Don’t know, not certain   20 15.04% Yes
Total 133 100%

Mean : 3.173
Mean Percentile : 56.54%
Standard Deviation : 1.098
7a. The presence of television cameras in the House chamber results in more Members taking part in floor debate.
Frequency Distribution Analysis
7a. The presence of television cameras in the House chamber results in more Members taking part in floor debate.
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  True   105 79.55% Yes
 2  False   27 20.45% Yes
Total 132 100%

Mean : 1.205
Mean Percentile : 89.77%
Standard Deviation : 0.405
7b. The presence of television cameras in the House chamber results in more Members requesting time for discretionary speeches such as “Special Orders” and/or “One-minutes.”
Frequency Distribution Analysis
7b. The presence of television cameras in the House chamber results in more Members requesting time for discretionary speeches such as “Special Orders” and/or “One-minutes.”
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  True   125 94.70% Yes
 2  False   7 5.30% Yes
Total 132 100%

Mean : 1.053
Mean Percentile : 97.35%
Standard Deviation : 0.225
7c. The presence of television cameras in the House chamber results in longer sessions.
Frequency Distribution Analysis
7c. The presence of television cameras in the House chamber results in longer sessions.
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  True   74 56.49% Yes
 2  False   57 43.51% Yes
Total 131 100%

Mean : 1.435
Mean Percentile : 78.24%
Standard Deviation : 0.498
8. Change the rules of debate to allow more give-and-take among Members on a regular basis.
Frequency Distribution Analysis
8. Change the rules of debate to allow more give-and-take among Members on a regular basis.
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Very positive effect   20 15.27% Yes
 2  Positive effect   72 54.96% Yes
 3  No effect   7 5.34% Yes
 4  Negative effect   23 17.56% Yes
 5  Very negative effect   3 2.29% Yes
 6  Don't know, not certain   6 4.58% Yes
Total 131 100%

Mean : 2.504
Mean Percentile : 74.94%
Standard Deviation : 1.267
9. Schedule specific debates in “prime time” (evening viewing hours) so that more of the public can watch.
Frequency Distribution Analysis
9. Schedule specific debates in “prime time” (evening viewing hours) so that more of the public can watch.
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Very positive effect   20 15.15% Yes
 2  Positive effect   65 49.24% Yes
 3  No effect   25 18.94% Yes
 4  Negative effect   18 13.64% Yes
 5  Very negative effect   4 3.03% Yes
 6  Don't know, not certain   0 0.00% Yes
Total 132 100%

Mean : 2.402
Mean Percentile : 76.64%
Standard Deviation : 1.003
10. If it were constitutionally viable, adopt a form of the British Parliament’s “Question Time” during which administration officials would be questioned by House Members.
Frequency Distribution Analysis
10. If it were constitutionally viable, adopt a form of the British Parliament’s “Question Time” during which administration officials would be questioned by House Members.
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Very positive effect   56 42.42% Yes
 2  Positive effect   47 35.61% Yes
 3  No effect   7 5.30% Yes
 4  Negative effect   15 11.36% Yes
 5  Very negative effect   5 3.79% Yes
 6  Don't know, not certain   2 1.52% Yes
Total 132 100%

Mean : 2.030
Mean Percentile : 82.83%
Standard Deviation : 1.235
11. During House votes, allow the public to see real-time reporting of individual Members’ votes as they are cast.
Frequency Distribution Analysis
11. During House votes, allow the public to see real-time reporting of individual Members’ votes as they are cast.
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Very positive effect   28 21.21% Yes
 2  Positive effect   48 36.36% Yes
 3  No effect   34 25.76% Yes
 4  Negative effect   13 9.85% Yes
 5  Very negative effect   5 3.79% Yes
 6  Don't know, not certain   4 3.03% Yes
Total 132 100%

Mean : 2.477
Mean Percentile : 75.38%
Standard Deviation : 1.214
12. Allow C-SPAN or other private media, rather than the House majority leadership, to control the cameras that televise floor proceedings.
Frequency Distribution Analysis
12. Allow C-SPAN or other private media, rather than the House majority leadership, to control the cameras that televise floor proceedings.
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Very positive effect   35 26.72% Yes
 2  Positive effect   41 31.30% Yes
 3  No effect   20 15.27% Yes
 4  Negative effect   12 9.16% Yes
 5  Very negative effect   12 9.16% Yes
 6  Don't know, not certain   11 8.40% Yes
Total 131 100%

Mean : 2.679
Mean Percentile : 72.01%
Standard Deviation : 1.585
13. Eliminate television coverage of “Special Orders” and/or “One-minute” Speeches.
Frequency Distribution Analysis
13. Eliminate television coverage of “Special Orders” and/or “One-minute” Speeches.
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Very positive effect   8 6.11% Yes
 2  Positive effect   33 25.19% Yes
 3  No effect   28 21.37% Yes
 4  Negative effect   43 32.82% Yes
 5  Very negative effect   11 8.40% Yes
 6  Don't know, not certain   8 6.11% Yes
Total 131 100%

Mean : 3.305
Mean Percentile : 61.58%
Standard Deviation : 1.276
14a. Which current Member from each party most effectively uses parliamentary procedure on the House floor? (If no opinion, leave blank.)
Frequency Distribution Analysis
14a. Which current Member from each party most effectively uses parliamentary procedure on the House floor? (If no opinion, leave blank.)

# Republican Members Democratic Members
 1  David Dreier 11 Martin Frost 5
 2  Tom DeLay 8 Dave Obey 4
 3   Bill Thomas   3 Barney Frank 4
 4  Dennis Hastert 2 Robert Byrd 4
 5  Henry Hyde 2 Dick Gephardt 3
14b. Over the past 25 years of televised House proceedings, which Member (current or former) most effectively uses (used) parliamentary procedure?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
14b. Over the past 25 years of televised House proceedings, which Member (current or former) most effectively uses (used) parliamentary procedure?

# Republican Members Democratic Members
 1  Robert Walker 19 Jim Wright 8
 2  Newt Gingrich 15 Tip O'Neil 7
 3     Richard Bolling 5
15a. Which current Member from each party is most effective as an orator; that is, in persuading other Members through their speeches on the House floor? (If no opinion, leave blank.)
Frequency Distribution Analysis
15a. Which current Member from each party is most effective as an orator; that is, in persuading other Members through their speeches on the House floor? (If no opinion, leave blank.)

# Republican Members Democratic Members
 1  Henry Hyde 5 Barney Frank 12
15b. Over the past 25 years of televised House proceedings, which Member (current or former) from each party is (was) the most effective orator?(If no opinion, leave blank.)
Frequency Distribution Analysis
15b. Over the past 25 years of televised House proceedings, which Member (current or former) from each party is (was) the most effective orator?(If no opinion, leave blank.)

# Republican Members Democratic Members
 1  Newt Gingrich 20 Barney Frank 6
 2  Dick Gephardt 5
 3     Tip O'Neil 3
 4  Jim Wright 3
16. Over the course of time, which party benefits more from televised coverage of the House floor?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
16. Over the course of time, which party benefits more from televised coverage of the House floor?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  The majority party that controls the rules   38 28.79% Yes
 2  The minority party that uses the proceedings to advance its agenda   45 34.09% Yes
 3  Both equally   37 28.03% Yes
 4  Don't know, not certain   12 9.09% Yes
Total 132 100%

Mean : 2.174
Mean Percentile : 70.64%
Standard Deviation : 0.953
17. What effect has television coverage of floor proceedings had on partisanship in the House?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
17. What effect has television coverage of floor proceedings had on partisanship in the House?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Increased partisanship a great deal   22 16.67% Yes
 2  Increased partisanship somewhat   79 59.85% Yes
 3  No effect   21 15.91% Yes
 4  Reduced partisanship somewhat   2 1.52% Yes
 5  Reduced partisanship a great deal   1 0.76% Yes
 6  Don’t know, not certain   7 5.30% Yes
Total 132 100%

Mean : 2.258
Mean Percentile : 79.04%
Standard Deviation : 1.116
18. Overall, how has televised coverage of the U.S. House affected public perception of the institution of the House?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
18. Overall, how has televised coverage of the U.S. House affected public perception of the institution of the House?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Very positive effect   3 2.31% Yes
 2  Positive effect   44 33.85% Yes
 3  No effect   24 18.46% Yes
 4  Negative effect   45 34.62% Yes
 5  Very negative effect   3 2.31% Yes
 6  Don't know, not certain   11 8.46% Yes
Total 130 100%

Mean : 3.262
Mean Percentile : 62.31%
Standard Deviation : 1.255
19. Was the decision to televise the House floor the best one for the public?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
19. Was the decision to televise the House floor the best one for the public?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Yes   124 96.12% Yes
 2  No   1 0.78% Yes
 3  Don't know, not certain   4 3.10% Yes
Total 129 100%

Mean : 1.070
Mean Percentile : 97.67%
Standard Deviation : 0.358
20. Was the decision to televise the House floor the best one for the institution?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
20. Was the decision to televise the House floor the best one for the institution?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Yes   78 60.00% Yes
 2  No   36 27.69% Yes
 3  Don’t know, not certain   16 12.31% Yes
Total 130 100%

Mean : 1.523
Mean Percentile : 82.56%
Standard Deviation : 0.707
21. Has televised floor coverage changed the institution of the House . . .
Frequency Distribution Analysis
21. Has televised floor coverage changed the institution of the House . . .
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  For the better   63 48.84% Yes
 2  For the worse   33 25.58% Yes
 3  Don’t know, not certain   33 25.58% Yes
Total 129 100%

Mean : 1.767
Mean Percentile : 74.42%
Standard Deviation : 0.834
22. Which of the following most closely describes your position?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
22. Which of the following most closely describes your position?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Tenure-track faculty member   88 66.17% Yes
 2  Instructor or adjunct professor   9 6.77% Yes
 3  Graduate student   16 12.03% Yes
 4  Congressional staff, interest group, consultant   5 3.76% Yes
 5  Research scholar   5 3.76% Yes
 6  Other   10 7.52% Yes text data
Total 133 100%

Mean : 1.947
Mean Percentile : 84.21%
Standard Deviation : 1.578
23. If you teach, which of the following most closely describes the highest degree offered by your department?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
23. If you teach, which of the following most closely describes the highest degree offered by your department?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  Doctoral   54 45.38% Yes
 2  Comprehensive (master's)   27 22.69% Yes
 3  Baccalaureate   36 30.25% Yes
 4  Two-year   2 1.68% Yes
Total 119 100%

Mean : 1.882
Mean Percentile : 77.94%
Standard Deviation : 0.904
24. How long have you been an active observer of Congress as graduate student, professor, or other practitioner?
Frequency Distribution Analysis
24. How long have you been an active observer of Congress as graduate student, professor, or other practitioner?
# Answer Frequency Percentage Mean Calc.
 1  More than 25 years (before House television)   41 30.83% Yes
 2  10 to 25 years   58 43.61% Yes
 3  5 to 10 years   32 24.06% Yes
 4  Less than 5 years   2 1.50% Yes
Total 133 100%

Mean : 1.962
Mean Percentile : 75.94%
Standard Deviation : 0.782
Back to C-SPAN.org