pols chapter 8

quota sample

a method by which pollsters structure a sample so that it is representative of the characteristics of the target population

straw poll

a poll conducted in an unscientific manner, used to predict election outcomes

stratified sampling

a process of random sampling in which the national population is divided into fourths and representative counties and metropolitan statistical areas are selected as representative of the national population

random sampling

a scientific method of selection for a poll in which each member of the population has an equal chance at being included in the sample.

push polls

a special type of poll that both provides information to campaigns about candidate strengths and weaknesses and attempts to skew public opinion about a candidate.

public opinion poll

a survey of a given population's opinion on an issue or a candidate at a particular point in time.

sampling error (margin of error)

also called margin of error; a statistical calculation of the difference in results between a poll of a randomly drawn sample and a poll of the entire population

population

in a poll, the group of people whose opinions are of interest and/or about whom information is desired

exit polls

polls conducted at polling places on election day to determine the winner of an election before the polls close.

tracking polls

polls that measure changes in public opinion over the course of days, weeks, or months by repeatedly asking respondents the same questions and measuring changes in their responses.

generational effect

the impact of an important external event in shaping the views of a generation

agents of socialization

the individuals, organizations, and the institutions that facilitate the acquisition of political views

gender gap

the measurable difference in the way women and men vote for candidates and in the way they view political issues

political socialization

the process by which we develop our political values and opinions

public opinion

the public's expressed views about an issue at a specific point in time