The UF Survey Research Center, begun in 1979, conducts a monthly survey of 1000 Floridian households and other customized surveys for various agencies and companies. Surveys are conducted in a 70-station computerized lab which operates seven days a week. Interviews are conducted by trained student employees.

The monthly Consumer Attitude Survey is a Random Digit Dialing telephone survey.From this survey, the Survey Program generates a Florida Consumer Confidence Index to assess how Floridians feel about the economy. This index, patterned after the University of Michigan's national Consumer Confidence Index, is released to the press each month. The index typically has a margin of error of less than three percent.

The index is calculated from responses to five questions. These measure 1) the respondents' current financial situation; 2) their expected situation a year from now; 3) their perception of national economic conditions; 4) their expectations about the national economy over the next five years; and 5) whether it is a good time to purchase large items such as appliances or automobiles. The index uses 1966 as the benchmark year (i.e., 1966=100).

In addition to the confidence index, the monthly survey contains a variety of socioeconomic and demographic information about Floridians. Additional questions are frequently accepted from faculty and state agencies for academic or administrative data collection.

The Survey Research Center also accepts proposals for funded surveys from outside sources. Survey staff, can assist in the sample design, wording of questions, implementation and analysis of surveys intended for information gathering. Standard procedures to ensure quality data include interviewer monitoring, high numbers of callbacks (usually 10), callbacks of refusals and automatic scheduling.

Please email the UFSRC if you are interested in its services.

Survey Interviewer Hiring Information