UNT PSCI 2305 Chapter 3 - 2020

Why do double-barreled questions make it difficult to evaluate the public's opinion on an issue? A. because negative information is presented to respondents before they answer a question about an issue B. because they presuppose information that has not been universally proven or accepted C. because it is difficult to know which part of the question respondents are replying to D. because respondents are offered irrelevant response options

C. because it is difficult to know which part of the question respondents are replying to

According to the essay, when does measurement error occur? A. when the characteristics of the respondents are not consistent with the targeted population B. when respondents have multiple opportunities to be selected to participate in the survey C. when respondents' answers to the questions deviate from their own attitudes D. when respondents refuse to complete the survey

C. when respondents' answers to the questions deviate from their own attitudes

After answering a question that asks what you consider to be the most important problem facing the nation, you answer a question about presidential approval. A question-ordering effect presumes that you may do which of the following? A. evaluate the president objectively B. evaluate the president based on your view of his or her personal likability C. be led to consider how the president is handling a full range of issues D. consider how the president has handled your "most important issue"

D. consider how the president has handled your "most important issue"

When thinking about the role of public opinion in the democratic process, what do most citizens believe? A. Lawmakers should follow the public's will, even if it runs counter to their own best judgment. B. Lawmakers should rely upon the public will or their own best judgment depending on the issue that is being considered. C. While lawmakers should consider the public's will, they should ultimately rely upon their own best judgment when making decisions about public policy. D. Lawmakers should typically submit to the public will, unless it is clear that the public's will on a particular issue is immoral or factually baseless.

A. Lawmakers should follow the public's will, even if it runs counter to their own best judgment.

What did the 2001 Kaiser/Public Perspective survey reveal? A. The public does not have a strong understanding of polling practices. B. The public believes that polls accurately convey public preferences to policymakers. C. The sheer number of polls that citizens are exposed to tends to make them more aware of polling practices. D. While they distrust polls, most Americans prefer polls over town hall meetings and other ways of communicating public opinion.

A. The public does not have a strong understanding of polling practices.

Which of the following statements accurately describes many Americans when they consider polling practices? A. They believe randomly selected samples lead to inaccurate conclusions. B. They have the ability to distinguish between "good" and "bad" polls. C. They prefer a randomly selected sample to a sample where participants select themselves. D.They believe polls are more reliable than town hall meetings.

A. They believe randomly selected samples lead to inaccurate conclusions.

Which of the following is true of the Holocaust question in the 1992 American Jewish Committee poll? A. It presented respondents with a series of preliminary questions intended to lead them to a necessary conclusion. B. It used a double negative, leading some respondents to reply that the Holocaust may have never happened. C. It offered a limited range of response options, requiring participants to select an answer about their Holocaust beliefs that was not consistent with their true attitude. D. It asked respondents to agree or disagree with a number of assertions posed in the question.

B. It used a double negative, leading some respondents to reply that the Holocaust may have never happened.

Philip Converse's 1964 study revealed which of the following about the electorate? A. Most voters are able to identify political leaders and policies. B. Most voters' attitudes about issues are not consistent. C. Most voters are aware of key political institutions and processes. D. Most voters have stable views about politics.

B. Most voters' attitudes about issues are not consistent.

Based on Table 2, whose supporters were most likely to have not known whether they received the Literary Digest ballot? A. other B. Roosevelt C. Landon D. both Roosevelt and Landon

B. Roosevelt

Based on the essay, what may occur as a consequence of sampling error? A. Survey participants will have a tendency to agree with a range of questions on a survey. B. Survey participants will not be representative of the broader population. C. Survey participants will alter their responses because they are aware that they are in a study. D. Survey participants will be uncertain about what is being asked in the survey questions.

B. Survey participants will not be representative of the broader population.

What is a benefit of a more informed electorate, according to the text? A. less certainty in poll results B. greater agreement between what citizens want and what policymakers do C. fewer political divisions within the electorate D. higher levels of distrust in the government

B. greater agreement between what citizens want and what policymakers do

Based on Table 1, Roosevelt supporters were most likely to own which of the following? A. a phone, but no car B. neither a car nor a phone C. a car, but no phone D. a phone, with hopes of owning a car

B. neither a car nor a phone

Which group is likely to be overrepresented by choosing a survey sample from among car owners and people listed in telephone books during the 1930s? A. less educated voters B. wealthy voters C. urban voters D. rural voters

B. wealthy voters

Given the challenges presented by measurement error, what does the author of this essay conclude? A. There is no way to avoid measurement error; therefore, there is no accurate way of measuring public opinion. B. The public should place little trust in poll results, given their flaws. C. Despite their flaws, surveys are still the best method of measuring public opinion. D. Since respondents do not hold true attitudes, measurement error is not a significant concern for a survey.

C. Despite their flaws, surveys are still the best method of measuring public opinion.