Center for the Study of Politics and Society

The Center for the Study of Politics and Society (CSPS) focuses on the investigation of societal change.

The National Data Program for the Social Sciences is the CSPS’s largest component and its major activity is the regular collection and distribution of the General Social Survey (GSS) and its allied surveys in the International Social Survey Program. The National Data Program for the Social Sciences (NDPSS) is a highly productive social indicators, infrastructure, and data-diffusion program. It has three basic purposes: 1. Gathering data on American society in order to monitor and explain trends and constants in attitudes, behaviors, and attributes. 2. Gaining fresh perspectives on American society by comparing the United States to other societies, and developing cross-national models of understanding human society. 3. Making high-quality data easily accessible to scholars, students, and others with minimal cost and waiting. The CSPS also carries out considerable research on religion in general and religious change in particular.