To assess attitudes and opinions of Kansans, the Docking Institute has surveyed a random
sample of Kansas residents age 18 and older every year since 2009. For this year’s survey, the
Docking Institute purchased from Scientific Telephone Samples a random sample consisting of
Kansas landline telephone numbers and cell phone numbers. Interviewers are highly-trained
student researchers pursuing degrees at Fort Hays State University. From August 22 to
September 25, a total of 2,188 Kansas residents were successfully contacted by telephone, and
494 of them completed the survey, resulting in a 22.6% response rate. The margin of error was
4.4% at the 95% confidence level. A margin of error of 4.4% means that there is a 95%
probability that findings among the sample vary no more than +/- 4.4% from the value that
would be found if all adult Kansas residents were surveyed, assuming no response bias.