1. Chapter 8 Section 1 Public Opinion Poll
Main Idea: How do public opinion polls measure public opinion?

2. How do we measure public opinion?

3. Elections only give a broad view of public opinion.

4. A public opinion poll is the most accurate way to measure public opinion

5. Polls
Companies ask the American public questions on products, political issues, and other topic to find out their opinion
Group use information to make improvements
Best known – Gallup Poll and Harris Survey

6. Pollsters Pollsters: People who take the polls
Those giving the poll want a group that reflect American population
1,500 People
Pick people at random, but try to make sure there are different types of gender, race, religions, ages, and incomes included
Those giving the poll have to be careful that the wording of poll is not biased.

7. Effect of Polls
Mass Media often publish polls – shape public opinion

8. Types of Questions
Example: A principal has the right to censor articles
written for the school newspaper.

9. Forced-Choice Question
Does a principal have the right to censor articles written for the school newspaper?
Yes or No?

10. Scaled Question
A principal has the right to censor articles written for the school newspaper.
Always
Sometimes
Never

11. Ranked Question
Rank a principal’s rights in order of importance, with 1 being most important and 3 being least important.
REVIEWING ARTICLES FOR THE SCHOOL NEWSPAPER
EXAMINING STUDENTS’ LOCKERS
APPROVING STUDENT FIELD TRIP DESTINATIONS