AP GOV Chp 11

Public opinion

The sum of individual attitudes about government, policies, and issues

Focus group

A small group of individuals assembled for a conversation about specific issues

Scientific poll

A representative poll of randomly selected respondents either a statistically significant sample size, using neutral language

Sample

A group of individuals from a larger population used to measure public opinion

Random selection

A method of choosing all poll respondents in a way that does not over- or underrepresent any group of the population

Representative sample

A sample that reflects the demographics of the population

Weighting

A procedure in which the survey is adjusted according to the demographics of the larger population

Sampling error

The margin of error in a poll, which usually is calculated to plus is minus three percentage points

Mass survey

A survey designed to measure the opinions of the population, usually consisting of 1,500 responses

Entrance survey

A poll conducted of people coming to an event

Exit poll

A survey conducted outside a polling place in which individuals are asked who or what they just voted for and why

Benchmark poll

A survey taken at the beginning of a political campaign in order to gauge support for a candidate and determine which issues are important to voters

Tracking poll

A survey determining the level of support for a candidate or an issue throughout a campaign

Random digit dialing

The use of telephone numbers randomly generated by computer to select potential survey respondents

Question order

The sequencing of questions in public opinion polls

Question wording

The phrasing of a question in a public opinion poll