About AmericasBarometer

LAPOP’s largest survey research project is the AmericasBarometer, a periodic study of 34 countries in the Western Hemisphere, with stratified nationally representative samples drawn in each country,a common questionnaire core, and country-specific modules. LAPOP’s work on the AmericasBarometer includes survey design, sample design, qualitative and iterative pre-testing of new modules, data auditing, and analysis and reporting. LAPOP creates surveys in multiple languages in the Americas (including main indigenous languages). LAPOP has been responsible for developing increasingly sophisticated software for use on smartphones and tablets for face-to-face interviews in the field. This software is especially tailored for multi-lingual countries/questionnaires, experiments, and complex skip patterns as well as for conducting experiments in the field. Moreover, LAPOP has a quality control program (FALCON ©), which includes unprecedented ability to track response rates, prevent location errors in the sample, monitor interview quality and detect and prevent fraud.

Learn more about:

• The Mission of LAPOP
• Survey Design
• The LAPOP Network
• AmericasBarometer Questionnaires

Or, take a look at our informational brochure (Español).

Also, this article from Vanderbilt's Arts and Science magazine is a good introduction to LAPOP's work.

What is unique about the AmericasBarometer?
Features	AmericasBarometer	Other
Includes North America / Caribbean (34 countries)	Yes	No
Interviews in indigenous languages (15 total) and widespread use of handheld computers (PDAs)	Yes	No
Samples of 1,500 vs. typical 1,000	Yes	No
Full disclosure of sample designs	Yes	No
National stratification and sub-stratification by rural/urban residence	Yes	Varies
Functions as a consortium of academic partners	Yes	No
Pre-tests in all countries, training, auditing of data sets, and no cost on-line detailed country studies and “Insights series”	Yes	No
No cost/no registration on-line multivariate analysis (no embargo period)	Yes	No
Free world-wide distribution of all data sets ( no embargo period)	Yes	No