Evaluating Public Opinion Data - AP US Government and Politics
- Define 'cross-sectional survey'.
- A survey conducted at one point in time to collect data from a sample. Provides a snapshot of opinions at one moment.
- What is the benefit of using Likert scales in questionnaires?
- They allow respondents to express degrees of opinion. Captures nuanced opinions beyond simple yes/no responses.
- Define 'leading question' in surveys.
- A question that prompts a particular response. Subtly guides respondents toward a specific answer.
- What is a 'straw poll'?
- An unofficial ballot conducted as a test of opinion. It's an informal survey with no scientific methodology.
- Identify the effect of 'acquiescence bias'.
- Tendency for respondents to agree with statements as presented. People tend to say 'yes' to avoid conflict.
- What is a quota sample?
- A non-random sample reflecting specific characteristics of the population. Uses predetermined quotas rather than random selection.
- What is a tracking poll?
- A poll repeated periodically to measure changes in opinion. Shows trends and opinion shifts over time periods.
- What is the primary purpose of pretesting survey questions?
- To identify and rectify unclear or biased questions. Tests prevent problematic questions from reaching final survey.
- Identify a factor that can increase survey reliability.
- Consistent administration of questions. Standardization reduces variability in responses.
- Identify a potential problem with self-administered surveys.
- Higher likelihood of misunderstanding questions. No interviewer present to clarify confusing questions.
- Which term refers to the distribution of opinions on a particular issue?
- Opinion distribution. Shows how opinions spread across different response categories.
- Define 'nonresponse bias'.
- Bias introduced when respondents differ from non-respondents. Those who respond may differ systematically from non-respondents.
- What does 'oversampling' mean in the context of surveys?
- Increasing the sample size of a particular group to ensure representation. Used to capture minority viewpoints in analysis.
- Identify a common issue with online surveys.
- Potential for non-random sampling and self-selection bias. Participants choose themselves, creating unrepresentative samples.
- Identify the primary purpose of demographic questions in polls.
- To categorize respondents and analyze subgroup differences. Enables comparison of opinions across different groups.
- Identify a disadvantage of telephone surveys.
- Exclusion of households without landlines or those who do not answer. Cell phones and caller ID reduce participation rates.
- What does 'response rate' measure in surveys?
- The percentage of contacted individuals who complete the survey. Higher rates indicate more representative results.
- Define 'non-sampling error'.
- Errors not related to the act of selecting the sample. Includes response errors, interviewer bias, and data processing mistakes.
- Which term describes the difference between the sample result and the true population value?
- Sampling error. It's the natural variation between sample and population values.
- What is social desirability bias in polling?
- Respondents provide socially acceptable answers rather than truthful ones. People give answers they think are socially acceptable.
- Define 'push poll'.
- A poll designed to influence respondents through loaded questions. It aims to sway opinion rather than measure it.
- What is a dichotomous question?
- A question with only two possible responses. Forces respondents into either/or choices only.
- What is the definition of public opinion?
- Public opinion is the aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs about a specific issue or topic. It's the collective view of a population on an issue.
- What is 'response bias'?
- Bias that occurs when respondents answer questions untruthfully. Includes lying, misunderstanding, or social desirability effects.
- Choose the primary advantage of exit polls.
- They provide immediate data on election day voter behavior. Captures actual voter choices rather than intentions.
- Identify the effect of question wording on poll results.
- Question wording can bias responses and affect results. Leading or unclear language skews respondent answers.
- What type of bias occurs when certain groups are overrepresented?
- Selection bias. Occurs when the sample doesn't match population demographics.
- What is a focus group in the context of public opinion research?
- A small group discussion to explore opinions on specific topics. Provides qualitative insights into opinion formation.
- Identify the term for a sample that accurately reflects the population.
- Representative sample. This ensures the sample mirrors the larger population's characteristics.
- What is 'interviewer effect'?
- Influence of the interviewer on the respondent's answers. Interviewer characteristics can bias respondent answers.
- What is the purpose of a random sample in polling?
- To ensure each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. Randomization eliminates bias and makes results generalizable.
- Identify one method to improve poll accuracy.
- Increase sample size for more precise results. Larger samples reduce margin of error significantly.
- Which term describes a consistent pattern of opinion differences across subgroups?
- Opinion cleavages. Reveals predictable opinion gaps between demographic groups.
- Define 'sample frame'.
- A list of individuals from which a sample is drawn. The complete list of potential survey participants.
- What does 'weighting' mean in the context of survey data?
- Adjusting results to reflect the population more accurately. Corrects for demographic imbalances in the sample.
- What does it mean if a poll has a 'high variance'?
- Greater dispersion of responses, indicating less consensus. Wide opinion spread shows divided public sentiment.
- What is a longitudinal survey?
- A survey that collects data from the same subjects over time. Tracks changes in individual opinions over time.