This report is based on a telephone survey of 800 randomly selected residents of California. The survey instrument was designed by Public Agenda. Interviews were conducted between November 11 and November 20, 1996, and averaged approximately 21 minutes in length.

The respondents were selected through a standard, random-digit-dialing technique whereby every household in California had an equal chance of being contacted. Respondents were given the option of being interviewed in Spanish, and 17 interviews were conducted in Spanish. The margin of error for the 800 respondents is plus or minus 3.4 percent; the margin of error is higher when comparing percentages across subgroups.

Interviews were conducted by Robinson and Muenster Associates, Inc., of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Survey Sampling, Inc., supplied the sample. As in all surveys, question-order effects and other non-sampling sources of error can sometimes affect results. Steps were taken to minimize these, including randomizing the order in which some questions were asked. All interpretation of data in the report was done by Public Agenda.

In addition to the statewide telephone survey, a small number of open-ended interviews were conducted by telephone with respondents after the survey had been completed. Quotes were drawn from these interviews to give voice to the attitudes captured statistically through the survey.

The report also draws on findings from The Closing Gateway study, prepared by Public Agenda in 1993. That study was based on a similar telephone survey of 832 California residents, as well as a national survey of 502 residents of the continental United States. Eight focus groups with California residents were also held for that study.