THE POLLS--A RESPONSE.

This article presents a response to the flaws in the Poll Review and the POQ poll review process in 1985 about science and technology policy. The 1985 report is the only report in the seven-volume series that was not based on a special survey. It was recommended that the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) develop an oversight panel to put in place a system of peer review. Since 1979, the NSF has required the science indicators contractor or grantee to propose an external review panel and the NSF has then convened the group to review the proposed survey design and questionnaire. In addition to the external reviews, each public attitudes chapter is reviewed by a series of NSF staff, capped by a careful review by a subcommittee of the National Science Board.