2021 Academy Climate and Networking Study (ACNS)

The 2021 ACNS used a mixed-methods approach, employing both a web-based survey and virtually administered focus groups. The survey contained questions about perceived acceptability and commonality of behaviors associated with harmful outcomes (such as alcohol abuse) and positive factors (like standing up to sexist jokes), hereafter referred to as “social norms.” Social norms include the behaviors that cadets and midshipmen actually do, those behaviors they expect from others at their Academy, and any incongruence between these actual and expected behaviors. The survey also used a social network analysis (SNA) approach to identify influential cadets and midshipmen according to particular criteria. Note: Prior to 2025, OPA research products used the term “gender” to describe men and women. These groups were defined using survey items and/or administrative data categories for “male” and “female”; therefore, references to gender should be understood to mean “sex”.