Scholar

Greg Smith

Videos
H-index: 16
Economics 19%
Philosophy 19%
more

Reposted by: Greg Smith, Brendan Nyhan, Scott L. Greer , and 5 more

johngramlich.bsky.social
% of US men under 30 who say legal sports betting is a *bad thing* for society

22% in 2022
47% in 2025

No other demographic group has seen a bigger increase.
Americans increasingly see legal sports betting as a bad thing for society and sports
Today, 43% of U.S. adults say the fact that sports betting is now legal in much of the country is a bad thing for society, up from 34% in 2022.
www.pewresearch.org
180 820 3.7K

by Greg Smith

gregsmithpolls.bsky.social
U.S. Catholics are still getting to know Pope Leo XIV. But they like what they've seen so far.

pewrsr.ch/46j5YDo
1

Reposted by: Greg Smith, Greg Linden

conradhackett.bsky.social
Remember, if you encounter what seems like an implausible survey finding, ask:
1. Were survey respondents selected randomly or was this an opt-in poll?
2. Could the results, especially for young adults, be driven by bogus respondents?

Keep this post in mind: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/... 🧪
In an experiment, Pew Research Center demonstrated that opt-in and probability-based surveys produced very different results about young adults' views of the Holocaust and abortion.
5 110 260

Reposted by: Greg Smith

chiprotolo.bsky.social
Core measures of religiousness, by decade born

From @pewresearch.org's 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study

Read more: pewrsr.ch/3EXnfrS
1 7 14

Reposted by: Greg Smith

stephaniekramer.bsky.social
The U.S. immigrant population grew at a record-breaking pace throughout the past few years but has shrunk since January, marking its first decline since the 1960s.

www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
What the data says about immigrants in the U.S.
As of June 2025, the country’s foreign-born population had shrunk by more than a million people, marking its first decline since the 1960s.
www.pewresearch.org
5 8

Reposted by: Greg Smith

johngramlich.bsky.social
With the IRS planning to let churches endorse political candidates, past surveys show that a majority of Americans oppose the idea. In 2022, 77% of US adults – including 84% of Democrats and 70% of Republicans – said churches shouldn't endorse candidates. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
Bar chart showing that in a 2022 Pew Research Center survey, 77% of U.S. adults said churches and other houses of worship should not come out in favor of one political candidate over another.
1 6 18

by Brian Schaffner — Reposted by: Greg Smith

bfschaffner.bsky.social
it's been 10 years since the last @pewresearch.org Religious Landscape Study, but the release of a new study gave Caroline Soler a chance to see how the CES stacked up against this benchmark. overall, the surveys produce very similar portraits of religion in America!
sites.tufts.edu/cooperativee...
Does the CES accurately reflect America’s religious landscape? – Cooperative Election Study Blog
sites.tufts.edu
2 5

by Greg Smith

gregsmithpolls.bsky.social
New @pewresearch.org report takes a deep look at Catholic life in U.S. It finds

20% of U.S. adults are Catholic (religiously speaking)
9% are "cultural Catholics"
9% are former Catholics
9% are connected to Catholicism in other ways (through spouse, parent, etc.)

Much more: pewrsr.ch/4eaMtk2
3 12 28

Reposted by: Greg Smith

conradhackett.bsky.social
England is experiencing a churchgoing revival, according to a recent report based on nonprobability polls.

David Voas is skeptical. He explains that probability-based survey data doesn't point to a revival. Nor does data from Christian denominations.
theconversation.com/is-there-rea...
The Bible Society recently published a report claiming that church attendance in England and Wales increased by more than half between 2018 and 2024. The revival was especially striking among young men, with reported church attendance jumping from 4% to 21% over this short period. As a quantitative social scientist who has studied religious change in modern societies for more than 25 years, I’m surprised – and sceptical. I do not doubt that the Bible Society acted in good faith, but they haven’t engaged with the mountain of evidence, some of it very recent, pointing to religious decline. The annual British Social Attitudes survey – widely regarded as the best and most reliable source of data on such matters – shows that the share of adults in England and Wales who said that they were Christian and went to church at least monthly fell by nearly a quarter (from 12.2% to 9.3%) between 2018 and 2023, the last year available. The Bible Society surveys suggest that churchgoers were 8% of the adult population in 2018 and 12% in 2024. The main Christian denominations (Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist) conduct and publish their own attendance counts every year. Those show that while churchgoing continues to rebound from the lows of the COVID lockdown, attendance at worship services remains substantially lower than it was in 2019, before the pandemic. In the Church of England, average weekly attendance is down about 20% from pre-pandemic levels, and the story is similar in other denominations. What could be the problem with the data? Gold standard social surveys are based on random (probability) samples of the population: everyone has a chance to be included. The British Social Attitudes survey is one such example – and found that churchgoing fell by nearly a quarter from 2018-23. By contrast, people opt in to YouGov’s survey panel and are rewarded after completing a certain number of surveys. The risk of low-quality or even bogus responses is considerable. YouGov creates a quota sample from its large self-selected panel. The sample will match the population on a number of key characteristics, such as age and sex, but that does not make it representative in all respects. As quota samples do not give each person in the population a known chance of being selected, statistical inference is not possible and findings cannot be reliably generalised. To write (as in the Bible Society report) that because thousands of people participated in the two surveys, they “give a 1% margin of error at a 99% confidence level” is misleading. This study is not the first time such non-probability sampling has led to dubious findings. In late 2023, the Economist ran the story that one in five young Americans believed that the Holocaust was a myth, based on another YouGov poll. A study by the Pew Research Center showed that that finding was almost certainly fallacious, and the Economist added a disclaimer acknowledging the problem.
5 12 47

by Greg Smith

gregsmithpolls.bsky.social
Hi Sam, is there something particular you need? We do our best to make our data publicly available while also doing our best to protect respondent privacy!
2

Reposted by: Greg Smith

ruthbraunstein.bsky.social
Today at noon! @sssreligion.bsky.social is hosting a webinar on "From Francis to Leo XIV: Looking into a Post "Who Am I to Judge?" Catholic Church" feat. 2024 Student Paper Award winner Fr. Lucas Sharma S.J. w/ Tia Noelle Pratt & Tricia Bruce, moderated by Ariela Keysar.
1 2 3

Reposted by: Greg Smith, Martin Kreidl, Thomas A. Tweed

conradhackett.bsky.social
PLEASE SHARE:
We just posted an ad for TWO research assistant positions on @pewresearch.org's religion team.

We expect a lot of applications so it's best to apply this week for full consideration.

Come work with our great team!

pewtrusts.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Center...
Project Overview Pew Research Center is seeking two Research Assistants to join its Religion research project. The Research Assistants will support the project’s demography of religion and U.S. survey research teams. The demography of religion team analyzes data on the religious identity and characteristics of populations. It produces reports describing the religious composition of countries as well as other topics at the intersection of religion and social trends (e.g. religion and educational attainment, gender differences in religious commitment levels). The U.S. survey research team produces reports that explore issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. Through public opinion surveys and other quantitative tools, it studies religious groups in the U.S. and examines the influence of religion on politics and society. The people in these positions will work closely with other researchers on staff and will report to an Associate Director of Religion research. Primary Responsibilities Compiling and analyzing data from surveys and censuses Descriptive statistical analysis Creating tables and charts in Stata, Excel, Word and PowerPoint Contacting statistical agencies to request information and custom tables Data cleaning, maintaining and reviewing internal files and databases Number checking, fact checking, proofing Performing background research, including literature reviews, contacting subject matter experts and online data gathering Assisting with questionnaire development Coordinate the translation and checking of questionnaires Education/Training/Experience B.A. degree is required. A concentration in sociology, political science, economics or another social science is desirable Strong quantitative skills, background in data management and analysis preferred Experience undertaking research using Stata, R, SPSS or other statistical software Mastery of descriptive statistics Knowledge and Skill Requirements Quantitative skills, including an ability to use Stata, SPSS or other statistical software Interest in public and/or international affairs, particularly in issues concerning religion and the intersection of religion and public life Strong verbal and written communications skills Facility using syntax commands to carefully document analysis using log files is desired Ability to balance numerous projects simultaneously Attention to detail, including exacting standards to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products Proven ability to communicate research results clearly and concisely Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with staff from the religion team, as well as with staff from other Pew Research Center projects and outside organizations Ability to balance multiple projects and meet tight deadlines while ensuring accuracy in data management, fact checking and research Ability to communicate in more than one language is advantageous
5 82 65

Reposted by: Greg Smith, Gayle Kaufman

jmhorowitz.bsky.social
Today we released a major @pewresearch.org survey of LGBTQ adults looking at:

▶️ Views of social acceptance for LGBTQ people
▶️ Personal experiences with acceptance, discrimination
▶️ Experiences with coming out
▶️ Identity
▶️ Community, friends and LGBTQ spaces

Read on for findings from each section.
The Experiences of LGBTQ Americans Today
How lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer adults view the impact of Obergefell and social acceptance for LGBTQ people more broadly 10 years after the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex...
www.pewresearch.org
1 29 47

by Greg Smith

gregsmithpolls.bsky.social
Interested in trends in the makeup of the US Catholic population?

20% of U.S. adults are Catholic, a figure that's been stable for years.

A growing share are Latinos, and upwards of 4-in-10 Catholics are immigrants or the children of immigrants.

Much more from @pewresearch.org pewrsr.ch/3VRqirS
2

Reposted by: Greg Smith

pollcat.bsky.social
We took a broad look at social trust in America today. With a survey of almost 37,000 people we were able to look at levels of trust across the states and even in metro areas. Check out our new report here www.pewresearch.org/SocialTrust
Americans’ Trust in One Another
Americans trust each other less than they did a few decades ago. We explore why this is, and why some are more trusting than others.
www.pewresearch.org
1 13 16

by Greg Smith

gregsmithpolls.bsky.social
New @pewresearch.org

60% of US Catholics say the Church should be more inclusive even if that means changing some teachings. 37% say Church should stick to traditional teachings even if gets smaller.

Big differences on this & other questions by Mass attendance.

Much more pewrsr.ch/44AA8mv
4 6 18

Reposted by: Greg Smith

chiprotolo.bsky.social
NEW: White evangelicals continue to stand out in their support for Trump, including 72% who approve of the way Trump is currently handling his job as president.

Here's how White evangelicals and other major U.S. religious groups view the second Trump administration.
pewrsr.ch/42L6bNS
White evangelicals continue to stand out in their support for Trump
Most White evangelicals (72%) say they approve of how Trump is doing as president. Other religious groups are more divided or disapprove.
pewrsr.ch
1 4 3

Reposted by: Greg Smith

faithangleforum.bsky.social
You can watch Alan Cooperman of @pewresearch.org ‘s opening presentation at Faith Angle Miami here youtu.be/yYM75CDZ4m0?...
Faith Angle Forum: A New US Religious Landscape
YouTube video by The Aspen Institute
youtu.be
1 1

by Greg Smith

gregsmithpolls.bsky.social
Our recent post includes our latest info on the size of the U.S. Catholic population and data about their demographics, beliefs and practices.

One interesting finding - more than four-in-ten U.S. Catholics are immigrants (29%) or the children of immigrants (14%).

Much more here: pewrsr.ch/3VRqirS
2 3

Reposted by: Greg Smith

sssreligion.bsky.social
New @nyupress.bsky.social book is "the latest in a series of important sociological overviews drawing on nation-wide surveys administered every six years, Catholicism at a Crossroads charts this new era of Catholic worship, belonging, and identity in America today." nyupress.org/978147983218...
Catholicism at a Crossroads
Offers a big picture analysis of American CatholicismThe Catholic Church is at a crossroads. In the United States alone there are many challenges facing the ...
nyupress.org
1 1 4

Reposted by: Greg Smith

nonreligioncf.bsky.social
Register now for our upcoming webinar where @gregsmithpolls.bsky.social (Pew Research) will discuss findings from the Pew Religious Landscape Study 2023-2024, with comments by Kati Tervo-Niemelä, Peter Beyer, and Ryan Cragun

Date: Apr. 22
Time: 11 am ET

Register uottawa-ca.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Nonreligion and the Pew Religious Landscape Study In this webinar, Gregory A. Smith (Pew Research Center) will discuss findings from the Pew Religious Landscape Study 2023-2024, followed by commentary from Kati Tervo-Niemelä (University of Eastern Finland), Peter Beyer (University of Ottawa), and Ryan Cragun (University of Tampa). Date: April 22, 2025 Time: 11:00 am ET
1 3 2

Reposted by: Greg Smith

religiondata.bsky.social
New on the ARDA: American Trends Panel Wave 99 — Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human Enhancement

This survey concentrates on public views about six developments related to AI applications and human enhancements.

Dive into the dataset at thearda.com/data-archive?fid=ATPW99.
1 4

Reposted by: Greg Smith

aebrown.bsky.social
Last year we encountered a strange glitch in one of our surveys…the word “yes” was being replaced with the word “forks” in response options. Read on to learn how we unraveled what was causing it, how we ensured it didn’t impact the data quality, and what to do if it happens to you!
How a glitch in an online survey replaced the word ‘yes’ with ‘forks’
Dating back to at least early 2023, a bizarre and alarming technical glitch started popping up in some organizations’ online surveys and forms.
www.pewresearch.org
9 28 67

Reposted by: Greg Smith

pollcat.bsky.social
You probably don't often turn to the survey methodology world for a good detective story, but here is one from my colleague Anna Brown pewrsr.ch/4isAu2s
How a glitch in an online survey replaced the word ‘yes’ with ‘forks’
Dating back to at least early 2023, a bizarre and alarming technical glitch started popping up in some organizations’ online surveys and forms.
pewrsr.ch
4 27 94

by Greg Smith

gregsmithpolls.bsky.social
I really enjoyed this discussion.

Just noting that the public use dataset from the 2023-24 RLS is available for download www.pewresearch.org/dataset/2023...

A "restricted" file with more granular religious and geographic variables is under review & will be available soon through ICPSR.
1 1 1

Reposted by: Greg Smith

jmhorowitz.bsky.social
We released a new report yesterday looking at the pressures teens face, their future aspirations, and how they see the experiences of boys and girls at their school. Among many important findings: 60% of teen girls - vs. 46% of boys - say they plan to attend a 4-year college. pewrsr.ch/4kKMHRC
The Gender Gap in Teen Experiences
Teen girls and boys in the U.S. face different pressures and report different experiences at school, though they have many of the same goals in life.
pewrsr.ch
1

by Mirya R. Holman — Reposted by: Greg Smith, Jared Rubin

profsamperry.bsky.social
Are you a PhD student in Political Science or Sociology interested in religion & public life? Apply for a *fully funded* opportunity to join us this summer (June 16-21) as part of the inaugural Wheatley Seminar in Religion & Politics. Apply by March 31. Details here:
wheatley.byu.edu/religionsemi...
Wheatley Seminar on Religion and Politics
wheatley.byu.edu
4 38 53

by Greg Smith

gregsmithpolls.bsky.social
For additional information about U.S. Catholics (and many other groups!), check out the Religious Landscape Study's interactive website.

www.pewresearch.org/religious-la...
Catholics | Religious Landscape Study | Pew Research Center
The Religious Landscape Study is a comprehensive survey of more than 35,000 Americans’ religious identities, beliefs and practices that’s been conducted in 2007, 2014 and 2023-24. Pew Research Center.
www.pewresearch.org

by Greg Smith

gregsmithpolls.bsky.social
Just updated with new data from the Religious Landscape Study: 10 Facts about U.S. Catholics

pewrsr.ch/3F4edcw

One interesting finding: about 4-in-10 U.S. Catholics are immigrants or the children of immigrants
1 1

by Greg Smith

gregsmithpolls.bsky.social
In the new Religious Landscape Study, women are more religious than men, on average. But the gender gap shows signs of narrowing. It's a bit smaller now than before, and it's smaller among young adults than among older people.

pewrsr.ch/4inD0X8
1 1

References

Fields & subjects

Updated 1m