By Adam Davis, John Schrag and Amaury Vogel/for YachatsNews.com
As opinion researchers and longtime journalist, we have spent decades exploring the divides in Oregon — the political divide, the racial divide and the urban-rural divide.
Too often, our exploration was limited to one or another subgroup of Oregonians, rather than all Oregonians. On the research side, that often was because a client was looking for data to further their self-interest in one way or another. In the newsroom, it was because when faced with a mountain of nuanced data, reporters focused on the obvious conflict.
So, we began a conversation more than a year ago about what was needed and how our respective organizations – The Oregon Values and Beliefs Center and Pamplin Media Group – could help. Here are the key points:
- First is regularly hearing from a cross-section of all Oregonians, not just a subgroup like frequent voters, about their values and beliefs. We need to ask questions of the general population, including hard-to-reach populations like rural Oregonians, younger Oregonians, and communities of color – who are often underrepresented in surveys.
- Second is for Oregonians to be regularly reminded, by independent, trusted news sources, that although the divisions are real, there also are certain things we agree on regardless of our political party, race and where we live. We are not talking about puff-pieces or boosterism, but deep-dives into the data and interviews with people who are often left out of news stories.
The result was Oregon Values & Voices, a collaboration between the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center and two family-owned news outlets, Pamplin Media and EO Media Group, which have a mix of urban, suburban and rural readers, from Eastern Oregon to the north Oregon coast.
YachatsNews uses news stories from the two groups’ Capital Bureau news service.
On the research side, OVBC – a non-profit, nonpartisan organization – conducts monthly statewide surveys, which include both “yes/no” questions and open-ended queries in which the panelists can expand on their answers. But it is expanding its current panel of respondents to ensure it can provide statistically reliable analysis and reporting that reflects the diversity of the state.
Panelists from all over the state share their thoughts and opinions monthly with the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center.
“I look forward to making my views known and being involved with the gathering of information that contributes to a better understanding of our state’s population,” said one new participant, Aaron Smith of Lincoln City.
Opinion research that is representative at the state level is often focused on Oregonians living in population centers, like Portland, Eugene, and Salem. It doesn’t give lawmakers, local elected officials, and community organizations an adequate understanding of the thoughts Oregonians in smaller communities, like those in Lincoln County.
The Oregon Values and Beliefs Center wants to provide statistically reliable data about these similarities, and differences.
The Oregon Values and Beliefs Center is looking for participants from Lincoln County and the Oregon coast. You can help by ensuring that all parts of the state are represented. Here’s how: Register for the panel through the OVBC website and receive email invitations for participation when we have a project available. A survey, for example, takes about 15 minutes and upon completion 300 rewards points are added to participants’ OVBC account.
Once panelists have earned 1,200 points, those points can be redeemed for cash, or their value can be donated to a charitable organization. All responses are anonymous, and we never share personal information with outside organizations without your permission. For about 15 minutes of your time each month, you can have a voice in shaping our state’s future, and earn some cash. There’s really no downside.
Lincoln County resident Luke Wright sums it up rather nicely: “I have grown to really appreciate the unbiased questions presented in an easy to answer format on OVBC,” he says. “I am thankful to be able to present my opinions to state and local leaders on topics that impact the state and communities of Oregon. Data gathering is immensely valuable, especially when it is done ethically with privacy in mind. OVBC allows me to contribute in a way that I feel comfortable. “
- Amaury Vogel is the associate executive director of the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center, at AVogel@OregonVBC.org.
- Adam Davis is co-founder of the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center. He has been conducting opinion research in Oregon for more than 40 years and can be reached at adavis@oregonvbc.org.
- John Schrag is the executive editor of the Pamplin Media group. He can be reached at jschrag@pamplinmedia.com.