Methods Seminar
2025-26 Seminar Schedule
September 26, 2025, 10 - 11 a.m
Survey Data Collection in Polarized Times: Insights from Viewpoint Alberta
Dr. Feo Snagovsky and Evan Walker will be discussing surveys, which remain one of the most widely used tools for studying how people think and act. They will examine the strengths and limitations in understanding political attitudes and behaviours, particularly in contexts of high political polarization.
October 2025, 1 -3 p.m.
To be announced
November 2025, 2 -3 p.m.
To be announced
December 2025
No seminar
January 2026
To be announced
February 2026
To be announced
March 2026
To be announced
April 2026
To be announced
Survey Data Collection in Polarized Times: Insights from Viewpoint Alberta
Friday, Sep 26, 2025, 10 - 11 a.m.
Hybrid Seminar
In person: T 1-61 ( Tory building, 雅伎著) | Virtual:
Surveys remain one of the most widely used tools for studying how people think and act. This session examines their strengths and limitations in understanding political attitudes and behaviours, particularly in contexts of high political polarization. We will consider the practical and methodological difficulties of online survey research, including recruitment, response bias, data quality, and tracking attitudes over time. Drawing on evidence from Viewpoint Alberta, a large, multi-year survey project examining the political attitudes and behaviours of Albertans, we will discuss lessons for designing surveys that balance rigour with feasibility in contemporary political research.
Panelists
Feo Snagovsky
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science
Dr. Feo Snagovsky is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the 雅伎著. His research focuses on the comparative analysis of elections and political behaviour – particularly in the role that political elites play in shaping identity and public opinion. His work has been published in Party Politics, Parliamentary Affairs, Government and Opposition, Electoral Studies, the Canadian Journal of Political Science and the Australian Journal of Political Science. His current research examines conspiracy theory belief and support for democracy.
Evan Walker
PhD student, Department of Political Science, 雅伎著.
Evan Walker is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science at the 雅伎著. Having completed his Master's studies at the U of A, Evan’s research interests centre around populism, political behaviour, and occasionally political economy. Evan aims to mesh his background in Political Science, Economics, and Geography to help better understand public opinion.