Actually, Softwords, I can understand that you have little knowledge or experience with these scholars, but Steven Cohen consulted extensively for the Orthodox Union in analyzing the Pew Report a couple of years ago. He is highly respected throughout the Jewish world, and I have personally participated in his briefings on the Pew Report (for the OU, without a Reform agenda; the opposite, he had some very complimentary and useful things to convey about the Orthodox world and what the Pew report revealed about it). You could pick up the phone and ask Rabbi Weil or Rabbi Weinrib about him. But, alas, you are content to be motzi shem ra about him because you saw the words “Hebrew Union”.
Secondly, surveys are always, always and only contingent on what you ask, and who you ask. Are you surprised that an organization like Footsteps which serves the population being surveyed would not have an interest in finding out real data about them? DO you think they want to waste their time and limited resources finding results that are inaccurate because of an assumed agenda, rather than accurate information that will help them accomplish what they set out to do? That’s a pretty twisted world view.