The primary research endeavor of the Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research is The Winthrop Poll. The inaugural Winthrop Poll was in 2006. From the spring 2007 until spring 2009, South Carolina Educational Television (ETV) and Winthrop partnered to create the Winthrop/ETV Poll initiative. During these years, ETV contributed toward some of the expenses associated with The Winthrop Poll. The cost of each poll is provided by Winthrop University. Funding for The Winthrop Poll comes from no other sources.
In addition to The Winthrop Poll, the CPOPR does take on external contracts and grants.
The mission of the CPOPR focuses on serving the public. As such, most contracts are geared toward
serving public or non-profit entities that could benefit in planning or policy making
from scientifically sound research, but cannot afford to secure the services of private
sector survey research firms. However, the CPOPR has a strict policy of never taking as clients candidates for political office, political parties, partisan groups,
or entities whose primary purpose is partisan in any way.
If you are interested in learning how CPOPR research can help you — and you do not represent a candidate for political office, political party, partisan group, or entity whose primary purpose is partisan in nature — please contact the Director of the Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research, Dr. Scott Huffmon, to discuss your project.