First Amendment Survey
Appendix B: The Questionnaire©
Table of Contents
8. Can you name any of the five specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights?
(Be supportive with comments such as, “The First Amendment protects the right of….” “ Can you think of another right that is protected?” “Any others?”
Allow 5-10 seconds during each pause)
Check each right that is named.
” Freedom of Speech
” Freedom of the Press
” Freedom of Religion
” Right to Assemble
” Right to Petition
Thank you. I know that is a challenging question. The remaining questions are about your opinions.
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government about grievances. Overall, do you feel Americans have too much, just right, or too little of the following:
Too Much Just Right Too Little
9. Freedom of speech ” ” ”
10. Freedom of press ” ” ”
11. Religious freedom ” ” ”
12. Have you ever felt that your right to speech, press, or religion have been violated?
(If no response = no)
If no, go to question “4”
If yes, which one(s)?
Freedom of speech ” ” ”
Freedom of press ” ” ”
Religious freedom ” ” ”
For the next questions respond with “yes,” “no,” or “no definite opinion.”
13. In your opinion, should public schools require instruction on First
Amendment rights?
14. In your opinion, should public schools have a designated time for prayer?
15. In your opinion, should public schools have rules to punish students who use racist or sexist speech?
16. A court has ruled that as long as the Pledge of Allegiance contains the phrase “Under God” it is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion and cannot be recited in public schools. In your opinion, should the phrase “under God” be removed from the Pledge?
17. In your opinion, do you think that people should be punished for burning or defacing the American flag as a political statement?
18. In your opinion, do you think that people should be punished for protesting or demonstrating on public property?
19. In your opinion, do you think that people should be punished for publicly criticizing our government during wartime?
20. Do you think that journalists should be able to publish freely without government approval or censorship of their reports?
21. Do you think that the government, as part of the war on terrorism, should be able to monitor certain religious groups even if it means infringing on their religious freedom?
22. Do you think that the government, as part of the war on terrorism, should be able to monitor which books or other materials people check out of public libraries?
(Table 6) Do you plan to vote in the 2004 presidential election?
Yes No Not Sure or No Reply
” ” ”
(Table 7) Politically, do you consider yourself to be a democrat, a republican, or independent? (Wait for response, record as accurately as can be judged)
” Democrat ” Republican ” Independent
” No party preference (volunteered) ” Other party (volunteered)
” No response ” I don’t know
(Table 4) What is your age? (If slow or no reply, prompt with categories)
” 18-24 ” 25-29 ” 30’s ” 40’s ” 50’s ” 60 or over ” No reply
(Table 3) What is your ethnic background? (Pause for response, prompt with “Caucasian?”)
” White (Caucasian) ” Latina/Latino
” African American ” Native American
” Asian American ” Multi-racial
” Other (Race or ethnic group not covered by the above categories, for example, Jamaican American, African Canadian, French Canadian, any non-U.S. )
” No response
(Table 5) Is your approximate household income level between $30,000 and $75,000?
” Less than 30,000
” 30,000 à 75,000
” Over 75,000
” Undisclosed
(Table 2) Respondent’s sex is: (Use best judgment)
” Male ” Female ” Undisclosed
Thank you very much for your time. We appreciate your cooperation.
© Dr. Tim Shiell and Dr. Tom Franklin, UW-Stout, Menomonie, WI 54751© Copyright 2005 Tim Shiell