AP GOV PUBLIC OPINION, POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, VOTING (quiz 1)

study so i dont get cook

Public opinion

The attitudes of the population on political and non-political issues.

What is random sampling?

A polling method for selecting a subset of individuals from a population so that every individual have a chance of getting chosen.

Sampling error

The difference between a sample’s result and the true result of the entire population, occurring by chance because the sample is not a perfect representation of the population.

How many should you survey for ‘the sweet spot’?

1500 to 2000 people

Where is accurate polling done?

On the phone, through random digit dialing.

Things you need to watch out for in a poll?

• Question wording

• Should be representative

What are the types of polling?

• Approval ratings

• Exit polling

Approval ratings

Type of polling where voters are asked about the approval of a person or idea.

Exit polling 

Type of polling conducted after people left a polling place and asking them how they voted. Used by the media to help predict who will win elections.

What is a good sampling error?

Plus/minus 3%

What happens if the average person does not spend a great deal of time worrying about politics?

1. Public ignorance

2. Pollers phrasing questions to get the results they want

3. The political instability of the opinion of the public