Public opinion helps explain what people think about candidates, policies, and public issues. This lesson introduces polls and the methods researchers use to select people whose responses can help describe a much larger population.
Before reliable polling methods were available, letters from constituents gave public officials one of the few ways to learn what some members of the public thought. Letters can still provide valuable information, but they are not necessarily representative: people who choose to write may differ from people who do not.
All flashcards
What is public opinion polling?
A systematic method of asking people questions to measure views about public issues, candidates, or policies.
What is a sample?
A group selected from a larger population to provide information about that population.
What is probability sampling?
A sampling method based on random selection in which every person in the population has an equal chance of being selected.
What is random digit dialing?
A method in which a computer randomly generates phone numbers so researchers can contact potential respondents.
How do convenience and cluster sampling differ?
A convenience sample uses people who are readily available. Cluster sampling divides a population into groups and selects people from chosen groups; it can reduce costs but may be less representative than a well-designed probability sample.
Quiz questions
A poll reports that 60% of respondents support a proposal, with a 2.6-percentage-point margin of error. Considering sampling error alone, what range does the margin imply?Answer: 57.4% to 62.6%
A poll uses only landline numbers in a population where many people use cell phones exclusively. What risk does this create?Answer: Selection bias because some groups may be underrepresented.
A survey reaches its intended population, but unclear or leading questions make the answers a poor measure of respondents' opinions. What problem is this?Answer: Measurement error
An interviewer's behavior or characteristics influence how respondents answer survey questions. What is this called?Answer: Interviewer bias
A respondent reports the view they believe is socially acceptable instead of their actual view. What form of bias is this?Answer: Social desirability bias
Based on Introduction to Political Science by Mark Carl Rom, Masaki Hidaka, Rachel Bzostek Walker (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.