Harvard survey research program

Human Rights. Public Finance. Social Policy. December 01, More from HKS. Get smart and reliable public policy insights right in your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter. Particular efforts have focused on Zika virus, ebola and H1N1. Economic and social policies: The Program has conducted surveys on a number of other domestic policy issues. An ongoing polling series with National Public Radio focuses on life in rural America.

International public health and health policy studies: Program researchers have collaborated in the design and analysis of surveys on health and social policy issues in nearly thirty countries. Further, researchers have particular expertise in developing knowledge, attitudes and practices KAPs polls to help public health practitioners and policymakers communicate and engage more effectively with the publics they serve regarding specific programs.

Well-being is harder — but not impossible — to measure. While previous studies have tried, the Global Flourishing Study, whose partners include the survey giant Gallup and the Center for Open Science , is the first to take a global, longitudinal approach in an attempt to find causal links between well-being and specific character traits — like extroversion or optimism — practices, communities, relationships, or religions.

If successful, the survey could later be administered as a kind of diagnostic test to prescribe interventions, similar to exercise and heart-healthy diets for cardiovascular disease. People in poorer, developing countries typically have a greater sense of meaning and purpose. They also tend to have stronger relationships. Measuring happiness, purpose, or love requires more than a medical instrument.

Centuries of philosophical and theological texts offer varying and valuable takes on the meaning of life, which is why VanderWeele enlisted a senior philosopher to help develop the survey questions. The director hopes this modern effort will result in more quantitative, measurable answers to this age-old question.

People in wealthier developed countries, for example, often have higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. But people in poorer, developing countries typically have a greater sense of meaning and purpose.