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