The Computing, Government, and Graphics sections of the ASA are proud to sponsor the annual Data Challenge Expo at the JSM 2024 meetings held in Portland, Oregon, from August 3 – 8, 2024 (community.amstat.org/dataexpo/home).
The challenge data set for 2024 was the General Social Survey, https://gss.norc.org/.
- The General Social Survey (GSS) is a nationally representative survey of adults in the United States that has been conducted since 1972. The GSS is primarily funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and conducted by the non-partisan and objective research organization NORC at the University of Chicago. The GSS is the single best source for sociological and attitudinal trend data covering the United States. It allows researchers to examine the structure and functioning of society in general, as well as the role played by relevant subgroups and to compare the United States to other nations. The GSS collects data on a variety of topics in contemporary American society to monitor and explain trends in opinions, attitudes, and behaviors. The General Social Survey (sometimes, General Social Surveys) is a series of nationally representative cross-sectional interviews in the United States that have occurred since 1972. The GSS collects data on contemporary American society to monitor and explain trends in opinions, attitudes, and behaviors. The GSS has adapted questions from earlier surveys, thereby allowing researchers to conduct comparisons for up to 80 years.
- A complete list of GSS variables and their availability can be found on the GSS Data Explorer at https://gssdataexplorer.norc.org/. The GSS also hosts a YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@GSS_NORC/playlists) with a GSS video series of educational videos featuring the GSS. This is a great place to start learning more about the data and coming up with ideas for the challenge. A document explaining the GSS and data fields is attached; it also includes some wonderful resources to get you started in your analysis.
Student Winners
FIRST: Understanding Confidence in American Institutions Over Time: Comparing Two National Surveys
Andrew Forrester, University of Maryland and co-author Ujjayini Das
SECOND: Exploring the 2024 GSS
Yichi Song, Carleton College, and co-authors Bryanna Schaffer and Adam Loy
THIRD: Investigating American Optimism: Evidence from 2022 General Social Survey (GSS) Data
Wooyoung Kim, Washington State, and co-authors Jacqueline Carlton, David Rice, Daryl DeFord, and MdMahedi Hasan
HONORABLE MENTION: A Matter of Perception: An Analysis of Factors Influencing Perceived Crime in Selected U.S. Cities
Hiyang Wang, Duke University, and co-authors Erick Jiang, Ziyao Cui, Nicholas Sortisio, Cynthia Rudin, and Eric Chen