1. Evaluating Reports Media Reports

2. How are Media Articles on Polls and Surveys Written ? Journalists are taught to write media articles in a particular style. Learning about this style enables a reader to find specific information easily and quickly.

3. Article

4. How is a typical media report on a poll or survey organised? 1.The main finding of the survey What is it? Where in the article is it located?

5. The main finding of the survey

6. 2.Who funded (commissioned) this survey? Why do you think this survey was carried out?- what is its purpose?-who are the target group?

7. 2.Who funded (commissioned) this survey? Funded by the Herald to highlight the road toll statistics and bad driving habits

8. 3. Method: Who was the sampled group? Who conducted the survey? Sample size Random/self-selection/man-in-street Telephone/on-line/face-to-face/posted Margin of error: Date:

9. 3. Method: Method: Random selection of 750 households using random digit dialling, phone interview

10. 4. Questions Where located –in graphic/ in text/ both ? Are the questions clearly stated? Can they be inferred from reading the text?

11. 4. Questions

12. 5. Summary of results Where located?-e.g. graphic/ text/ both

13. 5. Summary of Results

14. 6. Comment from an expert Who was the expert(s) consulted in this report?

15. 6. Comment from an expert Comment by an expert: National Road Policing Manager Superintendent Paula Rose

16. 7. Links to other studies/surveys? What other links are made?-do they seem appropriate?

17. 7. Links to other studies/surveys? Links to other studies/surveys?: Road toll statistics

18. This is what it should look like

19. 8. Any other information? Is there any other information not yet highlighted?- How would you describe it?

20. Read this report with a critical eye. Comment on 2 good aspects Comment on 2 concerns

21. Read this report with a critical eye. Comment on 2 good aspects random sampling, low margin of error, Comment on 2 concerns limited options given for response-e.g. alcohol and not wearing a seat-belt not included so offenders could answer “perfect” driver”-is anyone “perfect”?, age-group results missing in the graphic.

22. Are there aspects of this report which you are unfamiliar with?

23. Address the distinction between target population, sample frame the sample group

24. Address the distinction between target population adult drivers in NZ, sample frame households with a landline phone, the sample group 500 NZ drivers

25. Did you notice? the method is in the fine print under the graphic.

26. http://www.digipoll.com

27. Margin of Error It is connected with sampling variability and will be dealt with in detail later in the course.