High Quality Survey Research

The SCSU Survey is an ongoing survey research extension of St. Cloud State University and performs its research with the mission of serving the academic, public and non-profit sector communities through its commitment to high quality survey research.

The Survey provides education and experiential opportunities to researchers and students.

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STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

Research Highlights

Central Minnesota Community Foundation logo Social Capital in Central Minnesota
The Central Minnesota Community Foundation commissioned a telephone survey of 757 residents of Central Minnesota and asked about the connections individuals have with others in the community—referred to as "social capital."
St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce logo St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Value Survey
An online survey was distributed to St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce members to assess their perceptions about the value of Chamber membership in February-March 2022.
St. Cloud State University logo Vaccination Survey of SCSU Community
In August of 2021, the SCSU Survey conducted an online survey of 337 faculty, 358 staff and 1,902 SCSU students to determine COVID-19 vaccination rates and beliefs.
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Student Involvement and Growth

Person at a computer workstation turning to speak with someone holding a document, with another workstation user and a St. Cloud State University banner in the background

In addition to faculty who serve as SCSU Survey directors/principal investigators, students have the opportunity to act as student directors, working closely with faculty to write questionnaires, design samples, pretest questionnaires, train interviewers and supervise interviewing. In addition to learning survey research skills, student directors enhance their leadership and supervisory skills. 

Undergraduate and graduate students from all majors and areas of study get introduced to the survey process and develop strong communication skills by working as student callers. 

Student directors and callers have gone on to be accepted to the graduate school of their choice and successful leaders in their industry. 

All majors are encouraged to apply and become involved.

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Stephen Frank works with student in 1984

Established in 1980

The SCSU Survey and Research Center was founded in 1980 by Dr. Stephen Frank as hands-on exercise in empirical research for students in his upper-division classes. 

The Survey became nationally recognized when it predicted Jesse Ventura's 1998 gubernatorial win. Survey directors at the time Stephen Frank and Steven Wagner went on to write "We Shocked the World: A Case Study of Jesse Ventura's Election as Governor of Minnesota."

In 2012 the Survey was recognized by fivethirtyeight.com as the third most accurate survey in the nation for its work ont he 2012 Presidential election.

Pictured: Stephen Frank with student Dianne Corrigan in 1984.

Polls are intended to provide local decision makers with useful and technically sound information regarding the characteristics, attitudes and behavior of central Minnesotans."

Stephen Frank, Founder of the SCSU Survey

Ethics and Financing

The Survey is financed by conducting surveys for government agencies (state and local) and for non-profit organizations. The SCSU Survey does not conduct surveys for political parties or candidates. Additional support come from St. Cloud State University. 

The survey procedures used by the SCSU Survey adhere to the highest quality of academic standards and maintains the highest ethical standards in its procedures and methods. Faculty and student directors alike demonstrate integrity and respect for dignity in all interactions with colleagues, clients, researchers and survey participants.

Faculty directors subscribe to the Midwest Association of Public Opinion Research and the American Association of Public Opinion Research code of ethics.