CFU #2: Measuring Public Opinion

Which of the following is the best conclusion a polling group might draw from the results of the two polls?

• Including loaded phrases such as “military strength” in questions skews the results of the poll.

• Asking the same question twice biases respondents, encouraging them to change their position.

• Using an agree-or-disagree format encourages respondents to agree with the position.

• A majority of Americans support using military force to ensure peace.

Answer explanation

The best conclusion one could draw from the results of these two polls is that the difference in the way the questions were framed influenced the results. The agree-or-disagree format could have encouraged respondents to agree with that statement over the forced choice format option.

Based on the information provided, which of the following most likely explains the difference in result of the two polls?

• Margin of error

• Sampling method

• Type of poll

• Framing of question

Answer explanation

The difference in the way the questions are framed most likely explains the difference in results.

Based on the outcome of the polls, which of the following is likely true about questions that use the agree-disagree format?

• Questions that use the agree-disagree format increase the percentage of respondents who agree with the primary statement.

• Questions that use the agree-disagree format create confusion about what is being asked.

• Questions that use the agree-disagree format reduce support for the public policy that is being surveyed.

• Questions that use the agree-disagree promote considerations of other perspectives.

Answer explanation

In this case, questions that use the agree-disagree format increase the number of people who supported the statement by 22%.

Which of the following best explains the data in the line graph?

• Between 2012 and 2018, the economy did not grow enough to make economic issues a top priority.

• Voters care more about jobs than the budget deficit because there has been an increase in unemployment between 2010 and 2018.

• The economy is likely the most important issue because it is a broader category that is more open to individual interpretation than both jobs and the budget deficit.

• Complex issues such as the budget deficit receive little attention in the media even though citizens care deeply about them.

Answer explanation

Broader categories that are open to interpretation often increase the likelihood that respondents will say they are important.

Which of the following is a likely public policy result of the data on the line graph?

• Public policies that create jobs but increase the deficit, such as tax cuts or infrastructure spending, will likely be prioritized over paying down the national debt.

• Bills in Congress that create an economic stimulus through public works projects will pass with bipartisan support.

• A program to extend unemployment benefits to more people will likely pass in 2018.

• Public policies that pay down the deficit but are harmful to economic growth will likely pass during the next Congress.

Answer explanation

Jobs are consistently a more important priority than the deficit, which are reflected in the policies supported by Congress and the Trump administration.

Which of the following is likely true about midterm elections that would have taken place in 2018 based on the data in the line graph?

• The budget deficit was  a bigger issue in the 2018 midterm elections than it was in the 2010 midterm elections.

• Members of Congress that were running for reelection in 2018 likely emphasized their record on the budget deficit rather than jobs.

• Democrats were more likely than Republicans to vote in the 2018 midterm elections.

• Economic issues were less likely to be discussed in the 2018 midterm elections than in the 2012 presidential elections.

Answer explanation

The decline in public interest in economic issues led to a decrease in discussion of those issues by candidates.