Andrew Trexler
@atrexler.com
Assistant professor. | He/his. | Political communication, political behavior, news media, public opinion, survey methods. | atrexler.com | Opinions own.
Academics/adults with backpacks:
I am in the market for a new backpack. Do you have a (work) backpack that you love?
I have a North Face 'Hotshot' backpack that has served me faithfully for 10+ years but is finally wearing out, so I need to replace & want to consider options.
Some parameters:
I am in the market for a new backpack. Do you have a (work) backpack that you love?
I have a North Face 'Hotshot' backpack that has served me faithfully for 10+ years but is finally wearing out, so I need to replace & want to consider options.
Some parameters:
July 7, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Academics/adults with backpacks:
I am in the market for a new backpack. Do you have a (work) backpack that you love?
I have a North Face 'Hotshot' backpack that has served me faithfully for 10+ years but is finally wearing out, so I need to replace & want to consider options.
Some parameters:
I am in the market for a new backpack. Do you have a (work) backpack that you love?
I have a North Face 'Hotshot' backpack that has served me faithfully for 10+ years but is finally wearing out, so I need to replace & want to consider options.
Some parameters:
For several years, I have marked the 4th by reading Frederick Douglass's 1852 speech on the subject (a copy here: loveman.sdsu.edu/docs/1852Fre...), sometimes alone, sometimes aloud to family or friends.
This year it feels especially poignant. A few passages that particularly stick with me today:
This year it feels especially poignant. A few passages that particularly stick with me today:
July 4, 2025 at 11:34 AM
For several years, I have marked the 4th by reading Frederick Douglass's 1852 speech on the subject (a copy here: loveman.sdsu.edu/docs/1852Fre...), sometimes alone, sometimes aloud to family or friends.
This year it feels especially poignant. A few passages that particularly stick with me today:
This year it feels especially poignant. A few passages that particularly stick with me today:
Not the main thing here, but I keep seeing this claim from the WH/Fox/etc. that egg prices are falling, and that is just objectively, observably false.
April 17, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Not the main thing here, but I keep seeing this claim from the WH/Fox/etc. that egg prices are falling, and that is just objectively, observably false.
We also find limited evidence that ATE attenuation varies by how far apart repeated measure items are placed, meaning this design is suitable even for very short surveys/modules. Similarly, we find no evidence that respondent attention/recall alters the design effect.
April 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
We also find limited evidence that ATE attenuation varies by how far apart repeated measure items are placed, meaning this design is suitable even for very short surveys/modules. Similarly, we find no evidence that respondent attention/recall alters the design effect.
In contrast to CSP, we observe ~20% attenuation of ATEs under repeated measure designs. But the RM design offers much better precision, shrinking the SEs by ~50%, making hypothesis testing easier despite slight bias. Results hold across multiple sampling designs & experiment types.
April 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
In contrast to CSP, we observe ~20% attenuation of ATEs under repeated measure designs. But the RM design offers much better precision, shrinking the SEs by ~50%, making hypothesis testing easier despite slight bias. Results hold across multiple sampling designs & experiment types.
New paper with @dianamejordan.bsky.social and sky-less Trent Ollerenshaw! We provide large-N tests of repeated measure designs in survey experiments, showing that they slightly attenuate ATEs relative to post-only designs, but provide large gains to precision. Thread below.
Preprint: osf.io/q6czp
Preprint: osf.io/q6czp
April 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
New paper with @dianamejordan.bsky.social and sky-less Trent Ollerenshaw! We provide large-N tests of repeated measure designs in survey experiments, showing that they slightly attenuate ATEs relative to post-only designs, but provide large gains to precision. Thread below.
Preprint: osf.io/q6czp
Preprint: osf.io/q6czp
The NYT homepage currently makes ZERO mention of a private citizen illegally shutting down an entire federal agency, which was created by an act of Congress and provides life-saving aid to millions around the globe in service of US national security.
February 3, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The NYT homepage currently makes ZERO mention of a private citizen illegally shutting down an entire federal agency, which was created by an act of Congress and provides life-saving aid to millions around the globe in service of US national security.
This is better but still hides unnecessarily behind "scholars."
The text of the Constitution is very explicit. "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." (The article correctly states this fact in paragraph 2.)
The text of the Constitution is very explicit. "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." (The article correctly states this fact in paragraph 2.)
January 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
This is better but still hides unnecessarily behind "scholars."
The text of the Constitution is very explicit. "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." (The article correctly states this fact in paragraph 2.)
The text of the Constitution is very explicit. "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." (The article correctly states this fact in paragraph 2.)
As a deeply anti-democratic president assumes power today, I am begging news outlets to drop the prevaricating "will he or won't he, and can he succeed?" analysis frame.
Instead, news orgs need to be crystal clear to audiences when his actions are incompatible with democracy & the rule of law.
Instead, news orgs need to be crystal clear to audiences when his actions are incompatible with democracy & the rule of law.
January 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM
As a deeply anti-democratic president assumes power today, I am begging news outlets to drop the prevaricating "will he or won't he, and can he succeed?" analysis frame.
Instead, news orgs need to be crystal clear to audiences when his actions are incompatible with democracy & the rule of law.
Instead, news orgs need to be crystal clear to audiences when his actions are incompatible with democracy & the rule of law.
Some personal news: @hgraunke.bsky.social and I are moving to Wisconsin! I am thrilled to be joining the Political Science faculty at UW-Madison this Fall as an Assistant Professor.
A huge, huge thank you to mentors, friends, and family in Durham and beyond. Thank you for sharing the journey.
A huge, huge thank you to mentors, friends, and family in Durham and beyond. Thank you for sharing the journey.
January 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Some personal news: @hgraunke.bsky.social and I are moving to Wisconsin! I am thrilled to be joining the Political Science faculty at UW-Madison this Fall as an Assistant Professor.
A huge, huge thank you to mentors, friends, and family in Durham and beyond. Thank you for sharing the journey.
A huge, huge thank you to mentors, friends, and family in Durham and beyond. Thank you for sharing the journey.
New-ish working paper! The media often uses conflict frames, clickbait, etc. for covering politics, ostensibly to make political news more appealing to low-attention voters. I show that demand for such entertainment-oriented news is instead driven by high-attention voters.
Preprint: osf.io/59upd
Preprint: osf.io/59upd
October 23, 2024 at 2:40 PM
New-ish working paper! The media often uses conflict frames, clickbait, etc. for covering politics, ostensibly to make political news more appealing to low-attention voters. I show that demand for such entertainment-oriented news is instead driven by high-attention voters.
Preprint: osf.io/59upd
Preprint: osf.io/59upd
Anyway, for now, here is what I have. This is a modified measure with 9 labels and a "none of these" option, fielded on a non-prob Prolific sample (so caution please). These are the splits for Twitter use; I can also generate ones for FB, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok if interested.
July 24, 2024 at 2:24 AM
Anyway, for now, here is what I have. This is a modified measure with 9 labels and a "none of these" option, fielded on a non-prob Prolific sample (so caution please). These are the splits for Twitter use; I can also generate ones for FB, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok if interested.
In a follow-up conjoint experiment, we show that candidate signaling of alternative ideologies matters in both primaries and general elections. Voters self-identifying with the same alternative as a candidate are more likely to vote for them, just like when sharing liberal/conservative identities.
July 16, 2024 at 8:07 PM
In a follow-up conjoint experiment, we show that candidate signaling of alternative ideologies matters in both primaries and general elections. Voters self-identifying with the same alternative as a candidate are more likely to vote for them, just like when sharing liberal/conservative identities.
Our measure is particularly adept at understanding the policy attitudes of self-identified ‘moderates’ on the standard scale, who often choose the midpoint for reasons other than moderate or centrist policy preferences.
July 16, 2024 at 8:07 PM
Our measure is particularly adept at understanding the policy attitudes of self-identified ‘moderates’ on the standard scale, who often choose the midpoint for reasons other than moderate or centrist policy preferences.
We find that self-identification with most alternative labels are indicative of consistent preferences on economic or social policy, and when considered in combination (e.g., ‘conservative environmentalist’ provides useful information about both heterogeneity and extremity of policy attitudes.
July 16, 2024 at 8:06 PM
We find that self-identification with most alternative labels are indicative of consistent preferences on economic or social policy, and when considered in combination (e.g., ‘conservative environmentalist’ provides useful information about both heterogeneity and extremity of policy attitudes.
Many alternative labels cut across the partisan spectrum, with substantial numbers of self-identifiers affiliated with both Democrats and Republicans, including 'traditional,' 'environmentalist,' 'green,' and 'libertarian.' Others showed strong partisan leans, like 'nationalist' and 'progressive.'
July 16, 2024 at 8:06 PM
Many alternative labels cut across the partisan spectrum, with substantial numbers of self-identifiers affiliated with both Democrats and Republicans, including 'traditional,' 'environmentalist,' 'green,' and 'libertarian.' Others showed strong partisan leans, like 'nationalist' and 'progressive.'
Instead, we posed a novel question to a large Lucid sample (n=4,655): we asked people to self-identify with any of up to 14 different ideological labels that 'describe your political beliefs and attitudes.'
Most people chose multiple labels, including many that were not 'liberal' or 'conservative'!
Most people chose multiple labels, including many that were not 'liberal' or 'conservative'!
July 16, 2024 at 8:05 PM
Instead, we posed a novel question to a large Lucid sample (n=4,655): we asked people to self-identify with any of up to 14 different ideological labels that 'describe your political beliefs and attitudes.'
Most people chose multiple labels, including many that were not 'liberal' or 'conservative'!
Most people chose multiple labels, including many that were not 'liberal' or 'conservative'!
Tough call, but I think my favorite here is Ford graduating from UW in 1975... while he was president.
May 23, 2024 at 7:29 PM
Tough call, but I think my favorite here is Ford graduating from UW in 1975... while he was president.
Importantly, we find these positive effects for both catastrophic and nuisance infrastructure issues. Effects are also similar for investigative reporting and (less resource intensive) contextual reporting. In either form, providing more information about risk boosts public spending support.
May 9, 2024 at 2:38 PM
Importantly, we find these positive effects for both catastrophic and nuisance infrastructure issues. Effects are also similar for investigative reporting and (less resource intensive) contextual reporting. In either form, providing more information about risk boosts public spending support.
We find that both types of info richness increases support for a pro-spending candidate, accountability for an anti-spending incumbent, and support for a costly bond measure for preventive infrastructure spending.
May 9, 2024 at 2:37 PM
We find that both types of info richness increases support for a pro-spending candidate, accountability for an anti-spending incumbent, and support for a costly bond measure for preventive infrastructure spending.
We provide evidence for this with an experiment on two infrastructure systems (dam or sewer). We present respondents with a news article about infrastructure problems, and vary the level/type of info in the article: either barebones, or with investigative or contextual-thematic coverage (or both).
May 9, 2024 at 2:36 PM
We provide evidence for this with an experiment on two infrastructure systems (dam or sewer). We present respondents with a news article about infrastructure problems, and vary the level/type of info in the article: either barebones, or with investigative or contextual-thematic coverage (or both).
**Publication Alert!**
"Local News Reporting and Mass Attitudes on Infrastructure Investment," from me & @mullinmeg.bsky.social in Political Behavior. We look at effects of information richness in local news on mass support for infrastructure spending.
Open access! doi.org/10.1007/s111...
Thread:
"Local News Reporting and Mass Attitudes on Infrastructure Investment," from me & @mullinmeg.bsky.social in Political Behavior. We look at effects of information richness in local news on mass support for infrastructure spending.
Open access! doi.org/10.1007/s111...
Thread:
May 9, 2024 at 2:34 PM
**Publication Alert!**
"Local News Reporting and Mass Attitudes on Infrastructure Investment," from me & @mullinmeg.bsky.social in Political Behavior. We look at effects of information richness in local news on mass support for infrastructure spending.
Open access! doi.org/10.1007/s111...
Thread:
"Local News Reporting and Mass Attitudes on Infrastructure Investment," from me & @mullinmeg.bsky.social in Political Behavior. We look at effects of information richness in local news on mass support for infrastructure spending.
Open access! doi.org/10.1007/s111...
Thread:
A good end to #AcWriMo for 2023. A few points left on the table of course, but lots of progress on lots of fronts.
Looking forward to a whiskey (or several) very soon.
Looking forward to a whiskey (or several) very soon.
December 1, 2023 at 4:59 AM
A good end to #AcWriMo for 2023. A few points left on the table of course, but lots of progress on lots of fronts.
Looking forward to a whiskey (or several) very soon.
Looking forward to a whiskey (or several) very soon.
3 weeks of #AcWriMo down. Things are starting to come together and I am optimistic about knocking some big-ticket items off the list before the month is out.
November 22, 2023 at 12:24 AM
3 weeks of #AcWriMo down. Things are starting to come together and I am optimistic about knocking some big-ticket items off the list before the month is out.
10 days into #AcWriMo and my tally still looks sparse, but my writing pace has been good/steady and I am getting very close to tripling my points.
Also, 6 weeks after submitting a manuscript it finally got assigned to an editor (you know where!), so I am celebrating(?) today.
Also, 6 weeks after submitting a manuscript it finally got assigned to an editor (you know where!), so I am celebrating(?) today.
November 10, 2023 at 8:04 PM
10 days into #AcWriMo and my tally still looks sparse, but my writing pace has been good/steady and I am getting very close to tripling my points.
Also, 6 weeks after submitting a manuscript it finally got assigned to an editor (you know where!), so I am celebrating(?) today.
Also, 6 weeks after submitting a manuscript it finally got assigned to an editor (you know where!), so I am celebrating(?) today.