Ch 11

Question 1

Focus group

Answer 1

a small group of individuals assembled for a conversation about specific issues.

Question 2

Scientific poll

Answer 2

a representative poll of randomly selected respondents with a statistically significant sample size using neutral language.

Question 3

Sample

Answer 3

a group of individuals from a larger population used to measure public opinion.

Question 4

Random Selection

Answer 4

a method of choosing all poll respondents in a way that does not over- or underrepresent any group of the population.

Question 5

Representative Sample

Answer 5

a sample that reflects the demographics of the population.

Question 6

Weighting

Answer 6

a procedure in which the survey is adjusted according to the demographics of the larger population.

Question 7

Sampling Error

Answer 7

the margin of error in a poll, which usually is calculated to plus or minus three percentage points.

Question 8

Mass survey

Answer 8

a survey designed to measure the opinions of the population, usually consisting of 1,500 responses.

Question 9

Entrance survey

Answer 9

a poll conducted of people coming to an event.

Question 10

Exit poll

Answer 10

a survey conducted outside a polling place in which individuals are asked who or what they just voted for and why.

Question 11

Benchmark poll

Answer 11

a survey taken at the beginning of a political campaign in order to gauge support for a candidate and determine which issues are important to voters.

Question 12

Tracking poll

Answer 12

a survey determining the level of support for a candidate or an issue throughout a campaign.

Question 13

Random digit dialing

Answer 13

the use of telephone numbers randomly generated by a computer to select potential survey respondents.

Question 14

Question order

Answer 14

the sequencing of questions in public opinion polls.

Question 15

Question wording

Answer 15

the phrasing of a question in a public opinion poll.