Reliable Data. Real-World Impact
Since 1992, the Center for Opinion Research has conducted impactful studies that have contributed to the survey research field, informed public policy, strengthened community health initiatives, guided investments in community services, and shaped conversations around democracy, elections, and public opinion.
Below is a selection of scholarly publications, client partnerships, research innovations, testimonials, and publicly available reports that reflect the breadth and impact of our work.
Made in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Rooted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Center for Opinion Research cares deeply about the greater Lancaster community and partners across local community organizations to provide reliable information to support decision making and civic participation. Our work begins with listening and is grounded in respect, trust, and engagement.
While rooted in Lancaster County, our work extends across Pennsylvania and throughout the United States through partnerships with healthcare systems, educational institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations.
Publications
Barriers to the Global LGBTQ Progress (and How They May Be Crossed)
View PublicationAchim Hildebrandt, Indira Rahman, Susan Dicklitch-Nelson, and Berwood Yost.
Community Health Needs Assessment of Plain Populations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities, Vol. 4, No. 2.
View PublicationMiller, Yost, Thompson, and Voight. (2024)
The 2018 Pennsylvania Midterm Election
View PublicationBerwood A. Yost and Jacqueline Redman. (2023)
Major Party Factions in a Battleground State
View PublicationMedvic, S. K., and Yost, B. A. (2022)
If You Play in the Mud, You Get Dirty: The Appropriation of Amish Group Identity during a Negative Campaign
View PublicationKopko, K., Nolt, S., Redman, J., and Yost, B. (2021)
Psychological Stress and Birth Outcomes in Amish Women Before and After the Nickel Mines Shooting
View PublicationYost, Berwood, Christina Abbott, Scottie Thompson Buckland, Mary Whitmoyer, and Kirk Miller. (2020)
The 2018 Pennsylvania Midterm Election: No Escaping Trump
View PublicationYost, B. A., and Redman, J. (2023)
An Endangered Republican Incumbent Survives in the Suburbs
View PublicationMedvic, S. K., and Yost, B. A. (2019)
Experimental Non-Compliance
View PublicationYost, B. A., and Ciuk, D. (2019)
From Persecutors to Protectors: Human Rights and the F&M Global Barometer of Gay Rights™ (GBGR)
View PublicationSusan Dicklitch-Nelson, Scottie Thompson Buckland, Berwood Yost, and Danel Draguljić. (2019)
The 2016 Pennsylvania Presidential and U.S. Senate Elections: Breaking Pennsylvania's Electoral Habits
View PublicationYost, B. A., Redman, J., and Thompson, S. (2017)
Health Needs Assessment of Plain Populations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
View PublicationMiller, K., Yost, B., Abbott, C., Thompson, S., Dlugi, E., Adams, Z., Schulman, M., and Strauss, N. (2016)
The Effects of Issue Salience, Elite Influence, and Policy Content on Public Opinion
View PublicationCiuk, D., and Yost, B. (2015)
Building a Better Barometer of Gay Rights (BGR): A Case Study of Uganda and the Persecution of Homosexuals
View PublicationDicklitch, S., Yost, B., and Dougan, B. (2012)
Health Status, Health Conditions, and Health Behaviors among Amish Women: Results from the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Health Study
View PublicationMiller, K. and Yost, B. A., et al. (2007)
The Efficacy of Victim Services Programs: Alleviating the Psychological Suffering of Crime Victims?
View PublicationSims, B., Yost, B. A., and Abbott, C. L. (2006)
Projects
The Center conducts applied research and evaluation projects across a wide range of issue areas, including healthcare, education, public policy, community development, and public opinion research. Our work combines rigorous methodology with practical insight to help organizations better understand communities, evaluate programs, improve services, and support informed decision-making.
In addition to client partnerships, we also pursue scholarly research focused on survey methodology, voting behavior, healthcare, education, and public policy. This combination of applied and academic expertise strengthens our ability to design effective studies and interpret findings in meaningful ways.
Selected Clients
Over the years, the Center has partnered with organizations across healthcare, education, government, media, nonprofit, and community sectors, including:
School District of Lancaster (SDoL)
For more than twenty years, the Center has partnered with the School District of Lancaster on research and program evaluation projects, including parent, teacher, and student surveys and assessments.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Center has conducted various surveys for the Commonwealth, including recent work for the Office of Digital Experience on trust, preferences regarding government services, and use of state government websites.
WellSpan Health
The Center has partnered with WellSpan for more than twenty years on research projects including employee satisfaction, patient satisfaction, community health needs assessments, COVID-19 research, and other topics.
Penn Medicine / Lancaster General Health
The Center has partnered with Penn Medicine, previously Lancaster General Health, for more than fifteen years on research projects including market research and work in women’s health, neuroscience, cancer care, and cardiovascular care.
WITF
The Center has collaborated with WITF on projects covering democracy, civic engagement, climate, and public policy in Pennsylvania.
Interested in Partnering With Us?
We work with organizations to design research that informs decisions, strengthens communities, and drives meaningful impact through reliable data and actionable insight.