Chapter 10

Question 1

Public opinion

Answer 1

What the public thinks about a particular issue or set of issues at any point in time.

Question 2

Public opinion polls

Answer 2

interviews or surveys with samples of citizens that are used to estimate feelings and beliefs of the entire population.

Question 3

Straw poll

Answer 3

Unscientific survey used to gauge public opinion on a variety of issues and politics.

Question 4

Sample

Answer 4

A subset of the whole population selected to be questioned for the purpose of prediction or gauging opinion.

Question 5

Push polls

Answer 5

Polls taken for the purpose of providing information on an opponent that would lead respondents to vote against that candidate.

Question 6

Population

Answer 6

The entire group of people whose attitudes a researcher wishes to measure.

Question 7

Random sampling

Answer 7

A method of selection that gives each person in a group the same chance for being selected.

Question 8

Stratified sampling

Answer 8

A variation of random sampling that; the population is divided into subgroups and weighted based on demographic characteristics of the national population.

Question 9

Tracking polls

Answer 9

Continuous Surveys that enable a campaign or a news organization to chart a candidates daily rise or fall in support.

Question 10

Exit polls

Answer 10

Polls conducted as voters leave selected polling places on Election Day.

Question 11

Margin of error

Answer 11

A measure of the accuracy of a public opinion poll.

Question 12

Political socialization

Answer 12

The process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values.