David Lazer Archives

Quick-result home COVID-19 tests are more popular with young people, the wealthy, and highly educated, according to a new survey by Northeastern and other partner universities. Photo illustration by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Should I report my at-home COVID-19 test results?

Millions of rapid COVID-19 tests are being mailed out to homes across the country. Who’s using them, who isn’t, and how reliable are they? A survey by researchers from Northeastern and partner universities answers those questions.

by Peter Ramjug January 25, 2022

Social media sites, especially Facebook, were the top conduits for vaccine misinformation, according to a U.S. survey of health care workers who treated unvaccinated patients. The findings point to an 'urgent' misinformation problem. Photo Illustration by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Vaccine misinformation on social media can be a life-or-death problem

Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals say that COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on social media channels is an “urgent” problem that may be negatively influencing people’s decisions to get inoculated, according to a survey by researchers from Northeastern and partner institutions.

by Peter Ramjug January 20, 2022

Only 21% of people wore a high-quality mask such as the N95, according to a U.S. survey by Northeastern and other partner institutions. Cloth masks, gaiters, bandanas, and surgical masks remain the top choice of most people. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

N95, bandana, or something in between: Which masks are the most popular?

Masks remain a vital tool in limiting the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Researchers from Northeastern and several partner institutions looked into which face masks are most preferred.

by Peter Ramjug January 19, 2022

A year after the Capitol insurrection, faith in democracy wanes

Looking back, it’s clear that the particular circumstances of the 2020 election created a “perfect storm” that crystallized distrust of the democratic process among people who may already have had misgivings, says David Lazer, university distinguished professor of political science and computer sciences at Northeastern.

by Molly Callahan January 5, 2022

More U.S. residents would rather see the legacy of racism taught in public schools than critical race theory, according to a survey conducted by researchers at Northeastern and several partner institutions. Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Seven out of 10 people don’t know what critical race theory is, US poll finds

When asked if they supported the teaching of racism in public schools or CRT, most U.S. residents picked the former, according to a survey from researchers at Northeastern and several partner institutions. The likely reason is that most people are not familiar with the academic details of CRT, researchers explained.

by Peter Ramjug December 23, 2021

A survey of U.S. booster shot recipients finds that 30% of vaccinated people have received an extra shot. That is expected to ramp up quickly as the highly transmissible omicron variant spreads during the winter. Photo Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Who is getting COVID-19 booster shots (and who’s resistant)?

More men than women, and more Democrats than Republicans, said they received a booster injection. This and more from a new study by researchers at Northeastern and several partner institutions.

by Peter Ramjug December 22, 2021

Anti-vaccine mandate protesters gather during a public school board meeting in Portland, Oregon, to discuss a proposed vaccine mandate for students. COVID-19 and school safety issues outpaced CRT and gender identity as top issues for school boards, according to a poll by researchers at Northeastern and partner institutions. Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images

Critical race theory made headlines, but wasn’t the top issue for school boards

While transgender athletes and critical race theory garnered huge media coverage, school board voters were more concerned with school safety, COVID-19 vaccine requirements, student mental health, and face masks, according to a new study by researchers from Northeastern and several partner institutions.

by Peter Ramjug December 17, 2021

There has been a noticeable uptick in parental resistance to COVID-19 vaccines since June that is contributing to a slowing of the teen vaccination rate, a study by researchers from Northeastern and partner institutions found. AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Parental enthusiasm for teens’ COVID-19 vaccines is waning: U.S. survey

There was a 7 percentage point drop since June among parents who say their kids have already been vaccinated or likely will be, according to a new study by researchers from Northeastern and several partner institutions. The dip in support for COVID-19 vaccines could also foretell a larger movement against other mandatory vaccinations, the researchers say.

by Peter Ramjug December 14, 2021

Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Massachusetts’ anti-Trump GOP governor is leaving office more popular with Democrats

Republican Charlie Baker’s decision to walk away from the governorship in 2022 comes despite high plaudits from Massachusetts residents, according to a study by Northeastern and several partner institutions. His departure is indicative of former president Donald Trump’s influence on the national GOP.

by Peter Ramjug December 13, 2021

gloved hands filling a syringe with moderna covid vaccine

Less than half of US college students know their schools’ vaccination policies, study shows

The disconnect could be caused by schools’ confusing or weak vaccine mandates, according to a U.S. study by researchers from Northeastern and several partner institutions. Universities are a microcosm of the country’s larger COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance to mandates, researchers found.

by Peter Ramjug November 17, 2021

David Lazer