Arrangement of the collection is in five series:

Series 1: - Reports This series consists of several preliminary and interim reports published by Hart M. Nelsen, prior to the survey's completion.

Series 2: Coding Instructions - This series consists of instructions to survey workers for completing individual participant schedules.

Series 3: IBM Cards  - This series consists of two sets of IBM punch cards, one of which carries a usage restriction.

Series 4: Interview Schedules  - This series consists of completed interview schedules for ministers, parishioners, clerks, church superintendents, and church-school teachers. Interviews are organized by roll, state, and community.

Series 5 : Miscellany -  This series consists of two journal reprints of articles by Nelsen explaining sampling and statistical analysis methods used in the survey.

The Appalachian Presbyterians Survey was commissioned by two denominations: the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Presbyterian Church in the United States. It was conducted by Hart M. Nelsen of the Western Kentucky University's Department of Sociology.

The survey sample consisted of eighteen separate congregations in five Appalachian states—Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. However, data collected in North Carolina is not included in these records.

The survey process consisted of five parts:

1.       Preparation of a comprehensive bibliography (Apr 1967) and a 343 page review of literature (May 1967).

2.       Consultation with key church leaders to analyze the review of literature (May 1967).

3.       Preparation of the research design (Jun 1967).

4.       Field interviewing (Jul-Aug 1967).

5.       Coding and analyzing the completed interview data (Feb 1968).

Nelsen, Hart M.

Christian Education.
Nelsen, Hart M.
Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.
United Presbyterian Church of North America.