Survey Questions

Hypotheses

Key Variable / Concept & Definition

Measures:
Survey Questions (Typically agree / disagree likert scale 1-5)

H1. Policy actors within a coalition will show substantial consensus on deep core and policy core beliefs, less so on secondary aspects.

1. Advocacy coalitions & Coalition affiliation
“A group of legislators, agency officials, interest group leaders, and researchers with similar policy core beliefs who share resources and “engage in a nontrivial degree of coordination” (Sabatier and Weible 2007 p.196)

2: Deep core beliefs
“General normative and ontological assumptions about human nature…the proper role of government vs. markets in general…” (Sabatier and Weible 2007).

1: Responses to survey questions, which are already collected, pertaining to deep core, policy core, and secondary beliefs will determine which advocacy coalition respondents are categorized into. Questions, which will measure each of those concepts, are listed below.

2a: “How liberal or conservative do you consider yourself to be on fiscal policy?” (likert scale 1-5)
2b. “How liberal or conservative do you consider yourself to be on social policy?” (likert scale 1- 5)

H2: Policy actors will report belief change, as opposed to belief reinforcement, more so in secondary belief levels and less so in policy core beliefs.

3. Policy core beliefs “…moderate in scope and span the substantive and geographic breadth of a policy subsystem” (Weible et al 2009: 122)

3a: Responses to questions such as “Human behavior is the principal cause of climate change”

3b. “The severity of predicted impacts on society from climate change are vastly overstated ” 3c. “Decisions about energy and its effect on climate are best left to the economic market, and not to the government”

4. Secondary beliefs / policy preferences
“…for example, detailed rules and budgetary applications…” (Sabatier and Weible 2007)

4a. “A cap and trade system of permits for the emission of greenhouse gases is required to combat climate change”

4b. “An energy and/or carbon tax is required to combat climate change”
4c. “Government policies to promote renewable energy generation are required to combat climate change”

(agree / disagree likert 1-5

H3: Policy actors from ideological / purposive groups will report more extreme beliefs than policy actors from material groups

H4: Policy actors from ideological / purposive groups, and policy actors from material groups, will report more extreme beliefs than policy actors from administrative / government agencies.

5. Organizational affiliation

“Policy actors from material groups (economic self-interest groups such as private industry) will have more extreme beliefs than policy actors from purposive groups (ideological position groups such as non-governmental organizations)…Policy actors from interest groups will have more extreme beliefs than policy actors from administrative / government agencies (Sabatier & Weible 2007: 220)

5. “Which of the following best describes your organization?” (Academic/Researcher, Private Sector, Government, Non-profit)

H5. Individuals with more extreme beliefs will report more belief reinforcement than individuals with less extreme beliefs.

6. Extreme beliefs

6. Those who answer 1 and 5 on the likert scale to the Policy Core & Second Belief questions.

Hypotheses

Key Variable / Concept & Definition

Measures: Survey Questions (Typically agree / disagree likert scale 1-5)

H6. Higher diversity of information sources utilized for an individual will led to higher levels of reported belief change, as opposed to belief reinforcement

7. Diversity of information sources

7. “How often do you use the following types of information in your climate and energy- related policy work?”

(12 sources are offered across a five point scale from daily to never)

H7. Individuals with similar views will be more reported as the source of reinforced beliefs, as opposed to individuals with dissimilar views or neutral parties.

H8. Neutral parties will be reported more as the source of changed beliefs, as opposed to individuals with similar or dissimilar views.

8. Primary source of belief change or reinforcement

8. “If your views have been changed or reinforced, who was the primary source

(4 Point Scale):
Someone I agree with Someone I disagree with Neutral Party
My views have neither changed nor been reinforced

Hypotheses

Key Variable / Concept & Definition

Measures:
Survey Questions
(Typically agree / disagree likert scale 1- 5)

H9. Individuals that report more collaboration with those with similar beliefs, rather than those with dissimilar beliefs, will report more belief reinforcement.

H10. Individuals that have participated in more collaboration within coalitions only (as opposed to cross- coalitions) will report more belief reinforcement (and vice versa).

9. Coordinating & collaborating with those with similar and dissimilar beliefs

“…seek allies, share resources, and develop complimentary strategies” (Sabatier & Weible: 196)

9a. “In the past year, have you participated in…coalition building (e.g. networking, information sharing)?” (Yes/No question)
9b. “How often do you use advice from people you agree with?” (also disagree with)
9c. “How often have you used the following tools and techniques as part of your work in the past year?”
5 Point Scale): Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly, Never Options include: “Collaboration with those who share my views on energy and climate goals?” (also those who do not share my views)

H11. Individuals that have participated more in consensus-based processes will report more belief change, as opposed to belief reinforcement.

10. Participation in multi- stakeholder consensus based processes

“…a forum that is prestigious enough to force professionals from different coalitions to participate and; dominated by professional norms” (Sabatier & Weible 2007: 220)

10a. “In the past year, have you participated in…Negotiated in a multi- stakeholder consensus based process” (Yes/No question)
10b. “How often have you used the following tools and techniques as part of your work in the past year?”
5 Point Scale): Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly, Never Options include:
Options include:
“Facilitation/consensus building (e.g. focus groups, roundtables)”

H12: Individuals that have participated more in consensus-based processes will report more belief change, as opposed to belief reinforcement, regarding advocacy strategies.

11. Advocacy strategies

11. “To what extent have your strategies changed or been reinforced regarding the way you advocate for climate- related issues and/or energy policy?”

(Same 6 point scale as Belief Change / reinforcement above). Also asked the “Primary source of belief change or reinforcement” above