1. Ch.8 Sec 2

2. Measuring Public Opinion Public opinion can be found through a variety of means, voting, lobbying, books, pamphlets, magazines, and newspaper articles. Public opinion can be found through a variety of means, voting, lobbying, books, pamphlets, magazines, and newspaper articles. Those are some means of expression which public opinions become known. Those are some means of expression which public opinions become known. In elections, the voice of the people is supported to express itself through the ballot box. In elections, the voice of the people is supported to express itself through the ballot box. A victorious candidate of party usually a mandate to carry their campaign promises. A victorious candidate of party usually a mandate to carry their campaign promises. A mandate refers to the instructions or commonly a constituency gives to its elected officials. A mandate refers to the instructions or commonly a constituency gives to its elected officials.

3. Elections are, at best, only useful indicators in public opinion. Elections are, at best, only useful indicators in public opinion. Interest groups are private organizations whose members share certain views to shape the content of public policy. Interest groups are private organizations whose members share certain views to shape the content of public policy. Interest groups are a chief means by which public opinion is known. Interest groups are a chief means by which public opinion is known. The media are a gauge for assessing public opinion. The media are a gauge for assessing public opinion. They are frequently described as “mirrors” as well as “molder” of opinion. They are frequently described as “mirrors” as well as “molder” of opinion. Although, they are not very accurate mirrors of public opinion, often reflections only the views of a vocal minority. Although, they are not very accurate mirrors of public opinion, often reflections only the views of a vocal minority.

4. The Five Basics Steps of the Polling Process 1- Define the universe to be surveyed. 1- Define the universe to be surveyed. 2- Construct a sample 2- Construct a sample 3- Prepare valid questions. 3- Prepare valid questions. 4- Select and control how the poll will be taken. 4- Select and control how the poll will be taken. 5- Analyze and report their findings to the public. 5- Analyze and report their findings to the public.

5. Defining the Universe In political terms, “universe” stands for the whole population that the poll aims to measure. The universe is always the main group that the pollsters are interested in and are focused on. In political terms, “universe” stands for the whole population that the poll aims to measure. The universe is always the main group that the pollsters are interested in and are focused on.

6. Constructing A sample When constructing a sample, the pollster first need to find what the universe thinks. There are times where it is impossible to interview the universe because it is extremely big. Therefore, pollsters must select a sample, which is usually the side that decides to represent. When constructing a sample, the pollster first need to find what the universe thinks. There are times where it is impossible to interview the universe because it is extremely big. Therefore, pollsters must select a sample, which is usually the side that decides to represent. There are times that the pollsters will get a random sample which is then based on probability. In a random sample, the pollster interviews random people, in randomly selected places. There are times that the pollsters will get a random sample which is then based on probability. In a random sample, the pollster interviews random people, in randomly selected places. The average amount of people that the national poll interviews is at about 1500 to 200 million people. The average amount of people that the national poll interviews is at about 1500 to 200 million people.

7. The law of probability plays an important role in the polling process, if the sample is a sufficient size, the law states that the results will most likely turn out accurate. The law of probability plays an important role in the polling process, if the sample is a sufficient size, the law states that the results will most likely turn out accurate. Another skill that pollsters would use is also a quota sample which is basically to reflect the major characteristics of the given universe. Another skill that pollsters would use is also a quota sample which is basically to reflect the major characteristics of the given universe. Although, it doesn’t always tend to be as accurate. Although, it doesn’t always tend to be as accurate.

8. Preparing Valid Question Pollsres focus on how they word their questions. Pollsres focus on how they word their questions. It is important that they get a valid result, therefore they need to take into high consideration how they want to approach their question, so straight forwardly that the person will understand. It is important that they get a valid result, therefore they need to take into high consideration how they want to approach their question, so straight forwardly that the person will understand.

9. Interviewing The way that the pollsters communicate with the public can affect accuracy of the results. The way that the pollsters communicate with the public can affect accuracy of the results. In order for the interview to be successful, it is important to know what it is you are asking, and that its setup of the question is correct. In order for the interview to be successful, it is important to know what it is you are asking, and that its setup of the question is correct.