4.5

Public Opinion

Preferences of a population regarding a specific issue, measured through surveys.

Opinion Polls

Surveys that gather information about individuals' attitudes and views on various issues.

Benchmark/Tracking Polls

Regularly conducted polls that measure public opinion over time on various issues.

Entrance/Exit Polls

Polls conducted during elections to measure voters' opinions and attitudes.

Sampling Techniques

Methods used to select individuals for surveys, including random, stratified, cluster, and quota sampling.

Identification of Respondents

The method used to identify survey participants, which can impact survey results.

Mass Surveys

Surveys designed to gather data on a wide range of topics quickly and inexpensively.

Focus Groups

Small groups discussing a specific topic to provide insights into public opinion, though not representative of the whole population.

Sampling Error

The discrepancy that occurs when a sample does not accurately represent the population being studied.

Closed-Ended Questions

Survey questions that offer limited response options, such as multiple-choice questions.

Open-Ended Questions

Survey questions that allow for written responses, providing more detailed insights into opinions.

Question Format

The clarity and neutrality of survey questions, which can influence the accuracy of responses.

Order of Questions

The sequence in which questions are asked in a survey, which can affect the responses given.

Response Options

The range of answers provided in a survey, which should accurately reflect the opinions of respondents.