Gallup Poll Microdata

The library has a subscription to the Gallup Analytics database, which provides summary information from a number of Gallup polls. As part of our subscription, the library receives microdata files for several of the surveys included in this database. These records represent individual, anonymized responses to survey questions that can be analyzed with statistical packages and scripting languages. Current Brown students, faculty, and staff can request custom extracts of specific variables and observations from these files for non-commercial research purposes.

The following survey datasets are included in our microdata subscription; click on the links below for more information about each survey. All of the responses are anonymized and do not contain names or addresses. Basic demographic characteristics like age, sex, and race, as well as general geographic locations of respondents are captured in every series. There is a time lag or embargo between the time a survey is published and the time we receive the data; this lag ranges from a number of months to a number of years depending on the dataset.

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Current Brown students, faculty, and staff may make requests for customized extracts of data for non-commercial research purposes. The library cannot share a dataset in its entirety; it must be an extract of specific variables and observations. Gallup data should not be included in a publication in a quantity or specificity that could reasonably be deemed to be a substitute for acquiring the data from Gallup. Creation of derivatives for non-commercial research purposes, such as summary tables, charts, and maps, is acceptable. All publications and derivatives must include attribution when Gallup data are included without modification, or are used as a direct source of analysis. Brown affiliates may not share Gallup datasets or documentation, in whole or part, with any third party. 

You must be a current student, faculty, or staff member at Brown University to request extracts. This data is intended for researchers who wish to do statistical analysis on individual survey responses. If you are interested in summary statistics of survey responses, please use the library's Gallup Analytics database instead.

To request an extract:

1. Consult the code books and methodology documents to familiarize yourself with the datasets, to determine what you need. The World Poll Reference Tool is useful for that particular series (must register to use, but it's free).

2. Download the dataset variables spreadsheet which contains the full list of variables for the dataset you are interested in. In the select_vars column, add an X for each variable that you wish to include in your extract. You can resort the variables, but please do not change the column order or add any notes or additional data to the form. When you save the file, change the file name to add your initials or the date.

3. Submit the extract request form. You'll answer basic questions about your research, will indicate how to limit your extract to certain observations (rows), and will upload your Excel spreadsheet to limit the extract to specific variables (columns).

The library will respond to your request within 5 to 7 business days during the course of a regular fall or spring semester (request times vary in winter and summer). The datasets are stored in a STATA format, but we can output requests in other formats if needed.

Contact SocSciLibrarians@brown.edu if you have any questions.