Survey Research- Public Opinion Polls Comparison

This activity considers some important issues in Survey Research.

To Do:

Click on the highlighted link: Public Opinion Polls Comparison
Public Opinion Polls Comparison – Alternative Formats

In the pdf document you will find three sets of public opinion polls (each set contains two or three questions, the sample surveyed, who conducted the survey, the dates the surveys were conducted, and the results). Each of these public opinion polls were conducted by telephone using a random digit dialing system and included both landline and cell phones (see Schutt, 2017, pp. 68, 110-111).

Select two (2) sets [A and B, A and C, or B and C] and analyze and critique the questions and results within each set. [Do NOT evaluate between sets — i.e. do NOT evaluate Set A with Set B (that would be like comparing apples and oranges), but if you choose Set A as the first of your two sets, then evaluate and compare the three questions/polls within Set A; if you then choose Set B as your second set, then evaluate and compare the two questions/polls within Set B].

Write a 4-5 page paper that explains your two (2) sets of analysis and critique and then creates a revised survey question. Your paper does not need to be written as an essay; however, you need to list each of the topics and provide your explanation, being sure to provide sufficient detail and explanation. You should include ideas from the textbook and other appropriate sources in your analysis.

Things to address in your analysis/critique (be sure to provide explanation and analysis along with references to ideas in the textbook and/or other sources):

Wording of the questions (were the questions clear, ‘double-barreled’, ‘double negative’, etc.?)

Answer options (e.g. too many, too few, ambiguous, etc.)

Who commissioned and who conducted the survey (and why it might matter)

Who was surveyed and the sample size (and why it might matter)

Based on your analysis, select one question and redesign the question so that it will a ‘better’ question. Provide an explanation of the improvements you made to the particular question and/or answer options and why those changes were improvements; be sure to provide references to ideas in the textbook and/or other sources in your explanation.