AP Gov Chapter 7-Public Opinion

public opinion poll

gauges the aggregation of preferences of people from all segments of society

equality of individual opinion belief

government should take into account both majority and minority views when crafting policy

Sources that take reliable polls

Reputable commercial polling organizations, nonpartisan think tanks, academic institutions, government agencies, and news organizations

Convenience sample

Respondents to unscientific quick polls who are self-selected.

quota sample

a method of selecting survey participants that involves choosing subjects on the basis of their fitting into particular demographic categories, such as sex and age groups

public judgement

a type of public opinion where people think more in depth about their opinions, carefully considering range of viewpoints and outcomes of decisions. It offers a counterbalance to the domination of the elite opinions

probability sampling

a method of selecting survey participants at random

Push polls

A marketing technique disguised as a poll. Designed to influence opinions through questions and responses

Survey

A questionnaire administered usually by the government or academic researchers, to a larger representation of people

Public opinon poll

A short questionnaire administered to a sample of people to ascertain the views of a larger population, usually conducted by a commercial organization

Panel study

A study that tracks the same people over a long time period

deliberative polling

A technique that brings people together to discuss issues with experts and other citizens in order to arrive at more informed opinions

Robo-polling

Administered automated polls by phone using a recorded voice to ask the questions.

straw poll

An informal poll, often used to gauge opinions about candidates, that is administered, often haphazardly, and without attention to proper sampling methods. Notoriously inaccurate and conducted as a gimmick to attract readers.

quick poll

An online poll, usually consisting of one or two questions, that is asked of a non representative and self-selected sample of respondents. Usually not reliable/scientific

Focus groups

Another way to measure public opinions without polling. Facilitators convene a small group of subjects to engage in a structured discussion about a topic. Used extensively in campaigns.

Commercial pollsters strategies

Began in the 1920s; followed scientific polling procedures and applied market research techniques

Exit polls

Face to face interviews taken with voters as they leave the voting booths to determine their candidate preferences and opinions on ballot issues.

Echo chamber

Idea that people pay attention more to views that are in agreement with their own.

Open-ended questions

Items on a questionnaire that allow respondents to reply to a question in their own words. Much more time consuming.

Digital polls

Polls administered through Internet platforms

Quick poll

Usually 1-2 questions posted to a website, generally not reliable or scientific

close-ended questions

items on a questionnaire that provide respondents with a fixed number of options about a topic from which they can choose the one that best fits their position. Easier and less time consuming to analyze.

issue publics

people who only focus on one issue in government, and ignore everything else

the public

people who share something in common, such as a connection to government/society that is confronted by certain issues

pundits

people who weigh in on political issues with an expert opinion, ie teachers, professors, newscasters, pollsters

public opinion

people's collective preferences on matters related to government and politics

attitudes

persistent, general orientations towards issues, people, or institutions; often shaped by opinion

attentive public

political junkies

public opinion among groups belief

the belief that public opinion is a result of opinions fronted by groups such as parties, corporations, and interest groups. Also, social media has effect

majority opinion belief

the belief that public opinion is the opinion held by the majority

Elite opinion belief

the belief that the opinions of elite officials should count the most, often articulated by pundits