Scientific Polls

Flashcards of vocabulary terms about scientific polls.

Scientific Polls

A way to gauge public opinion using random sampling controls to ensure the poll statistically represents a population.

Unscientific Polling

Polling that has no systematic sampling controls in place to ensure accurate representation of a population.

Methodology of a Survey

The plan and process of how a survey is conducted, including identification of sample members, question development, poll delivery mode, data collection, accuracy assessment, and adjustment for errors.

Public Opinion Polls

Surveys that measure public opinion from a certain group or sample, focusing on a small group that represents the opinions of a population.

Tracking Polls

Polls repeated at specific intervals over time to track public opinion on an issue or candidate; the first poll in the series is called benchmark poll.

Entrance Polls

Polls taken before voters cast their votes, considered to have a low margin of error.

Exit Polls

Polls conducted immediately after voters have exited the polling stations, often used by media to give an early indication of election outcomes.

Straw Polls

Polls conducted in an unscientific manner using convenience sampling, which can lead to selection bias.

Push Polls

Polls that attempt to skew public opinion about a candidate, often by presenting hypothetical issues to survey respondents.

Probability-Based Sampling

Samples are selected randomly.

Non-Probability Sampling

Samples are selected based on the judgment of the researcher.

Random-Digit Dialing

Samples are randomly created from telephone area codes to reach potential respondents.

Registration-Based Sampling

Samples of individuals taken from a list of registered voters.

Stratified Sampling

Sample created by dividing the national population into fourths. Certain areas within each section are selected as representatives of the national population.

Self-Selected Sampling

Samples include respondents that have selected themselves, like dial-in polls and internet-based polls.

Internet Panels

Samples are selected from respondents who signed up to be members of an internet panel.

Quota Samples

Samples are structured by researchers who set a specific set of characteristics respondents should have, then select respondents who satisfy those characteristics.

Neutral Framing

Questions are specific and without bias.

Open-Ended Question

Asks the respondent to frame their own answer.

Closed-Ended Question

Asks the respondent to pick an answer from a given number of options.

Selection Bias

Occurs when there is a different probability of selection of one demographic group that the research did not anticipate.

Self-Selection Bias

Occurs when individuals select themselves into a group.

Non-Response Bias

Occurs when some individuals do not answer unknown calls or refuse to answer the poll.

Coverage Bias

Occurs when a poll's sample is not representative of a certain population.

Response Bias

Occurs when the responses do not reflect the true beliefs of those surveyed.

Sampling Error

Value indicates how closely the results of a survey imitate reality.

Social Desirability Effect

Respondents may choose to not answer or give false information because they're uncomfortable sharing their opinion with the pollster.

Bandwagon Effect

Polling results convince people to support a candidate already determined to be the probable winner.

Deliberative Polling

A method which gives members of the public the opportunity to think carefully about issues and their relationship to public policy.