Public Opinion

Multiple Choice

Public Opinion are the ideas and attitudes people hold about issues and people.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

What things shape or influence our opinions on people and issues? (Choose all that apply)

• School/Peers/ Family

• Media/Public Officials/Interest Groups

• Personal Background (age/gender/ religion)

• Nothing

Multiple Choice

People have stronger opinions about things that directly affect their lives.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What are the people called who conduct public opinion polls?

• Surveyor

• Pollster

• Opinion Tracker

Multiple Choice

There are only 3 organizations that conduct public opinion polls in our society.

• True

• False

​

• They randomly sample the population, meaning:

  • Usually around 500-1500 people

  • Men and women

  • Different races, income levels, ages, and viewpoints

• Wording of questions matters in the outcome.

Multiple Choice

Approximately, how many people participate in a poll?

• 100-500

• 500-1500

• 1500-3000

• 5000

Multiple Select

What does a sample need to be "random?" (Choose two.)

• Women only

• Men and Women

• Different races and ages

Multiple Choice

Wording of questions can impact the outcome of a poll.

• True

• False

​Margin of Error

• ​Each poll will have a margin of error + or - so many points.

• The higher the margin of error, the more likely the poll is not truly reflective of the general population. (A typical poll will be + or - 3 percentage points)

​

Multiple Choice

A high margin of error on a poll means it is a very accurate reflection of the general population.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

A typical poll has a margin of error of + or - of __________% points.

• 0

• 10

• 5

• 3

​Polling Problems

• ​Online poll participants are not selected at random, people choose.

• ​Cell phone numbers aren't readily accessed like landlines, and people are less likely to respond. (caller i.d.)

• ​These can both make polls inaccurate.

Multiple Choice

What two things may be making polls less accurate and representative than in the past?

• Internet polls and cell phones

• Landlines and pollsters

• Internet polls and landlines

Multiple Choice

Which of these is a positive of polls?

• Can discourage voting by seeing who is ahead

• Allows leaders to check in with the people

​Advice

​Critical that readers compare results from multiple polls and sources for the most balanced and detailed view.

Multiple Choice

People should consult multiple polls and sources to gain a more accurate and balanced view.

• True

• False