1. Politicians

2. Who are Politicians as Information Users?
Two roles
Campaigns
Decision Making (after elected)

3. What are Their Information Needs?
Learning about what voters want
Learning about issues to make policy

4. Information in Campaigns: Polling
Why is polling important?
What do campaigns achieve from polling?
What issues are important
What groups are for/against the politician
What issues matter to which groups
Who should their campaign target?

5. How Polls are Conducted
Sampling
Size
Question Phrasing
Interview
Interpretation

6. Information in Decision Making
Politicians, once in office, must make decisions on many issues
Need detailed information on all those issues
Time consuming
Difficult when outside the politician’s area of expertise

7. Lobbying
Lobbyists represent special interest groups and try to influence policy
Provide information to politicians in office
Can present experts, evidence, facts to support their side
Politicians rely on this information

8. Lobbying Issues Fairness Access Transparency
Can you pay a politician to vote your way?
Can you give him or her a gift to vote your way?
Can you take them on a trip to a meeting?
Can you buy them lunch?
Access
Transparency