{
    "slug": "gss-natspend-2024",
    "source_label": "GSS (2024) — Federal spending priorities battery",
    "source_url": "https:\/\/gss.norc.org\/get-the-data\/",
    "license": "Public domain (NSF-funded, NORC at the University of Chicago)",
    "fielded_at": "2024-06-01",
    "methodology": "survey",
    "n_respondents": 3309,
    "disclosure": {
        "license": "Public domain (NSF-funded). Required citation: Davern, Michael; Bautista, Rene; Freese, Jeremy; Herd, Pamela; and Morgan, Stephen L. General Social Survey 1972-2024. NORC ed., Chicago, 2025.",
        "weights": "Weighted to wtssps (NORC's recommended GSS 2024 post-stratification weight, person-level). The 2024 wave fields most NATSPEND items on a split ballot: an A-version (e.g. natfare 'welfare') and a Y-version (e.g. natfarey 'assistance to the poor') reach different roughly-half subsamples, so n per item is ≈ 1,580 — except natroad \/ natsoc \/ natchld \/ natsci \/ natenrgy which run on the full sample at n ≈ 3,150–3,250.",
        "screener": "GSS uses an address-based national probability sample of U.S. adults 18+. The 2024 cross-section ran mixed-mode (in-person + web push). No content screener — every selected adult is invited regardless of policy preferences. Sampling frame and selection probability are documented in the GSS 2024 Codebook R3 (NORC).",
        "fieldwork": "United States, 2024 cross-section. Fieldwork March–November 2024 per the GSS 2024 Codebook R3 (page 1). Modes: in-person and web push (push-to-web for the subsample without prior in-person contact).",
        "coding_rules": "Closed-ended Likert, no FGI. No moderator guide. Each respondent rates each item independently in the same wave. natmass (mass transportation) and natpark (parks) are absent from the 2024 wave and are not paired. The A\/Y split ballot is left intact rather than averaged: both wordings are paired so a reader can see the wording effect directly.",
        "likert_labels": "3-point scale (codebook value labels, verbatim). 1 = \"too little\". 2 = \"about right\". 3 = \"too much\". Linearly remapped to the SSR 1-5 scale via f(x) = 7 − 2x so that a higher number always reads as 'we should spend more'. No 'don't know' \/ 'no answer' is included — those respondents drop from the variable's n.",
        "question_text": "Stem (codebook verbatim): \"We are faced with many problems in this country, none of which can be solved easily or inexpensively. I'm going to name some of these problems, and for each one I'd like you to tell me whether you think we're spending too much money on it, too little money, or about the right amount.\" Each item is then read with its own short label."
    },
    "questions": [
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_space",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on space exploration?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 2.82,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 2.751,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 2.888,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.388,
            "ground_truth_skewness": 0.122,
            "ground_truth_shape": "multimodal-symmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 29,
                "1_too_little_pct": 20,
                "2_about_right_pct": 51
            },
            "n_respondents": 1580,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 2.090. 3-pt → 1-5 via 7−2x. Split-ballot A item, n ≈ 1,580."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_environment",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on improving and protecting the environment?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 4.094,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 4.027,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 4.16,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.368,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -1.201,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 11,
                "1_too_little_pct": 65.7,
                "2_about_right_pct": 23.3
            },
            "n_respondents": 1643,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.453. Split-ballot A item."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_health",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on improving the nation's health?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 4.322,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 4.262,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 4.381,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.223,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -1.616,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 7.5,
                "1_too_little_pct": 73.6,
                "2_about_right_pct": 18.8
            },
            "n_respondents": 1645,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.339. Split-ballot A item."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_city",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on solving problems of big cities?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 3.764,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 3.688,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 3.841,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.552,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -0.779,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 18.3,
                "1_too_little_pct": 56.5,
                "2_about_right_pct": 25.2
            },
            "n_respondents": 1591,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.618. Split-ballot A item."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_crime",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on halting the rising crime rate?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 4.258,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 4.199,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 4.316,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.202,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -1.389,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 6.4,
                "1_too_little_pct": 69.3,
                "2_about_right_pct": 24.3
            },
            "n_respondents": 1638,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.371. Split-ballot A item."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_drug",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on dealing with drug addiction?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 4.201,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 4.139,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 4.263,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.274,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -1.343,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 8.3,
                "1_too_little_pct": 68.4,
                "2_about_right_pct": 23.3
            },
            "n_respondents": 1637,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.399. Split-ballot A item."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_education",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on improving the education system?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 4.381,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 4.325,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 4.438,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.172,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -1.741,
            "ground_truth_shape": "left-skewed",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 6.5,
                "1_too_little_pct": 75.6,
                "2_about_right_pct": 17.9
            },
            "n_respondents": 1662,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.309. Split-ballot A item. Top spending priority in 2024."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_race",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on improving the conditions of Blacks?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 3.634,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 3.564,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 3.705,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.426,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -0.547,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 14.6,
                "1_too_little_pct": 46.3,
                "2_about_right_pct": 39.1
            },
            "n_respondents": 1591,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.683. Split-ballot A item — Y wording (natracey) lands at 3.39, a wording-effect delta of 0.24."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_arms",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on the military, armaments, and defense?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 3.031,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 2.957,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 3.106,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.536,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -0.025,
            "ground_truth_shape": "multimodal-symmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 28.7,
                "1_too_little_pct": 30.3,
                "2_about_right_pct": 41
            },
            "n_respondents": 1626,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.984. Split-ballot A item."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_aid",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on foreign aid?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 1.953,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 1.888,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 2.018,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.338,
            "ground_truth_skewness": 1.078,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 62.3,
                "1_too_little_pct": 9.9,
                "2_about_right_pct": 27.8
            },
            "n_respondents": 1617,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 2.523. Split-ballot A item."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_welfare",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on welfare?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 3.038,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 2.96,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 3.117,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.611,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -0.034,
            "ground_truth_shape": "multimodal-symmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 31.5,
                "1_too_little_pct": 33.4,
                "2_about_right_pct": 35.1
            },
            "n_respondents": 1635,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.981. Split-ballot A item — Y wording 'assistance to the poor' (natfarey) lands at 4.23, a wording-effect delta of 1.19. Largest wording effect in the battery."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_road",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on highways and bridges?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 3.818,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 3.772,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 3.864,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.35,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -0.711,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 10.7,
                "1_too_little_pct": 51.6,
                "2_about_right_pct": 37.7
            },
            "n_respondents": 3244,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.591. Full 2024 ballot, n ≈ 3,150–3,250."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_socsec",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on Social Security?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 4.092,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 4.05,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 4.135,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.233,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -1.021,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 6.6,
                "1_too_little_pct": 61.2,
                "2_about_right_pct": 32.1
            },
            "n_respondents": 3200,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.454. Full 2024 ballot."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_childcare",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on assistance for childcare?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 4.095,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 4.051,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 4.139,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.277,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -1.099,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 8,
                "1_too_little_pct": 62.8,
                "2_about_right_pct": 29.2
            },
            "n_respondents": 3191,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.452. Full 2024 ballot."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_science",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on supporting scientific research?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 3.568,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 3.522,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 3.614,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.319,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -0.382,
            "ground_truth_shape": "multimodal-symmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 11.6,
                "1_too_little_pct": 40,
                "2_about_right_pct": 48.5
            },
            "n_respondents": 3140,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.716. Full 2024 ballot."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_spacey",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on space exploration? (Y-ballot variant)",
            "ground_truth_mean": 2.906,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 2.837,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 2.975,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.384,
            "ground_truth_skewness": 0.062,
            "ground_truth_shape": "multimodal-symmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 26.4,
                "1_too_little_pct": 21.7,
                "2_about_right_pct": 51.9
            },
            "n_respondents": 1543,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 2.047. Split-ballot Y item — A wording (natspac) lands at 2.82, a small wording-effect delta of 0.09."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_energy",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on developing alternative energy sources?",
            "ground_truth_mean": 3.659,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 3.608,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 3.709,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.457,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -0.598,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 15.5,
                "1_too_little_pct": 48.4,
                "2_about_right_pct": 36.1
            },
            "n_respondents": 3183,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.671. Full 2024 ballot."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_drugy",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on drug rehabilitation? (Y-ballot wording of natdrug)",
            "ground_truth_mean": 3.986,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 3.919,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 4.052,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.347,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -0.976,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 10.2,
                "1_too_little_pct": 59.4,
                "2_about_right_pct": 30.4
            },
            "n_respondents": 1570,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.507. Split-ballot Y item — A wording 'dealing with drug addiction' (natdrug) lands at 4.20, a delta of 0.21."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_educationy",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on education? (Y-ballot wording of nateduc)",
            "ground_truth_mean": 4.25,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 4.187,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 4.313,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.287,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -1.485,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 9,
                "1_too_little_pct": 71.5,
                "2_about_right_pct": 19.5
            },
            "n_respondents": 1608,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.375. Split-ballot Y item — A wording (nateduc) lands at 4.38."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_racey",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on assistance to Blacks? (Y-ballot wording of natrace)",
            "ground_truth_mean": 3.389,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 3.313,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 3.465,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.493,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -0.331,
            "ground_truth_shape": "multimodal-symmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 20,
                "1_too_little_pct": 39.5,
                "2_about_right_pct": 40.5
            },
            "n_respondents": 1496,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.806. Split-ballot Y item — see natrace at 3.63."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_farey",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on assistance to the poor? (Y-ballot wording of natfare 'welfare')",
            "ground_truth_mean": 4.228,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 4.165,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 4.292,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.295,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -1.435,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 9.1,
                "1_too_little_pct": 70.5,
                "2_about_right_pct": 20.5
            },
            "n_respondents": 1595,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.386. Split-ballot Y item — A wording 'welfare' (natfare) lands at 3.04, the largest wording effect in the battery."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_armsy",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on national defense? (Y-ballot wording of natarms)",
            "ground_truth_mean": 3.154,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 3.078,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 3.23,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.538,
            "ground_truth_skewness": -0.132,
            "ground_truth_shape": "multimodal-symmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 26,
                "1_too_little_pct": 33.7,
                "2_about_right_pct": 40.3
            },
            "n_respondents": 1570,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 1.923. Split-ballot Y item — see natarms at 3.03."
        },
        {
            "question_template_slot": "gss2024_nat_aidy",
            "prompt_text": "Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on assistance to other countries? (Y-ballot wording of nataid)",
            "ground_truth_mean": 1.854,
            "ground_truth_ci_lower": 1.789,
            "ground_truth_ci_upper": 1.918,
            "ground_truth_sd": 1.313,
            "ground_truth_skewness": 1.258,
            "ground_truth_shape": "bimodal-asymmetric",
            "ground_truth_distribution": {
                "3_too_much_pct": 66.6,
                "1_too_little_pct": 9.3,
                "2_about_right_pct": 24
            },
            "n_respondents": 1585,
            "weighting_notes": "Weighted to wtssps. Raw 3-pt 2.573. Split-ballot Y item — bottom of the battery."
        }
    ]
}