Problems with Polls
Public opinion polls definitely have their uses, but they have also been criticized for being inaccurate and distorting the political process. How valid are these claims?
Here are some articles to get you started. Find them through Keyword searches. Go to InfoTrac.
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"public opinion polls" in the Subject Guide, and then go to subdivision "analysis."
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"public opinion polls" in the Subject Guide, and then go to subdivision "technique."
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Opinion: Poll of the week-style research smacks of a lack of expertise. Marketing July 24, 2003 p14 (504 words)
Polls apart: pollsters of public opinion have always striven to be accurate and representative. Can the Internet get them a step closer, or is its audience too biased? (Insight). Mike Butcher. New Media Age June 12, 2003 p22(1) (1179 words)
Just Say "No" to Pollsters? That's what polling critic Ariana Huffington wants Americans to do. No wonder she just got an earful at the profession's annual meeting. (NEWS ANALYSIS)(Arianna Huffington addresses annual meeting of American Association for Public Opinion Research) Peter Coy. Business Week Online May 19, 2003 pNA
Media accept slanted surveys. (Media/Politics). (media coverage of unethical public opinion polls) Terry Jones. St. Louis Journalism Review March 2003 v33 i254 p12(2)
John Zogby's creative polls: and a closer look at his methods. Chris Mooney. The American Prospect Feb 2003 v14 i2 p29(5)
Poll crazy. Lori Robertson. American Journalism Review Jan-Feb 2003 v25 i1 p40(6)
Attack dogs: political pollsters lose the popular vote in a landslide. (Art & Commerce). Wendy Melillo. ADWEEK Eastern Edition Nov 11, 2002 v43 i45 p9(1) Bus.Coll.: 141W1001.
Great figure--but can you trust it? (Polls). Ivor Gaber. New Statesman (1996) Sept 23, 2002 v131 i4606 p15(1)
The impact of "no opinion" response options on data quality: non-attitude reduction or an invitation to satisfice? Jon A. Krosnick, Allyson L. Holbrook, Matthew K. Berent, Richard T. Carson, W. Michael Hanemann, Raymond J. Kopp, Robert Cameron Mitchell, Stanley Presser, Paul A. Ruud, V. Kerry Smith, Wendy R. Moody, Melanie C. Green, Michael Conaway. Public Opinion Quarterly Fall 2002 v66 i3 p371(33)
Why the Polls Were Wrong. (analysis of public opinion polls carried out during the presidential elections)(Brief Article) Anna Greenberg. The Nation Jan 1, 2001 v272 i1 p26 Mag.Coll.: 105L0027.
Opinion polls - Misty science. (Brief Article) The Economist (US) Oct 21, 2000 v357 i8193 p38
WHO'S LOSING THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE? THE POLLSTERS. (Brief Article) Business Week Oct 9, 2000 i3702 p61
The problems plaguing polls are plentiful. (Brief Article) Jon Delano. Pittsburgh Business Times June 16, 2000 v19 i48 p19 Bus.Coll.: 125S1788.
Polls and the press. (Brief Article) Allan Wolper. Editor & Publisher Feb 21, 2000 p50 Bus.Coll.: 131Y1333.
Push vs. panelback vs. exit polls; dialing for dollars; early transitions. Craig Varoga. Campaigns & Elections Dec 1997 v18 n10 p60(1)
According to the polls: The influence of opinion polls on expectations. (Statistical Data Included) Galen A. Irwin, Joop J.M. Van Holsteyn. Public Opinion Quarterly Spring 2002 v66 i1 p92(13)
Don't Trust This Poll. (Findings). (public opinion polls)(Brief Article) The Wilson Quarterly Wntr 2002 v26 i1 p9(1)
THE POWER OF THE POLLS. Meredith O'Brien. The Quill Nov 1999 v87 i8 p22
Do you trust polls or not? (or are you undecided?). Allan Rivlin. National Journal July 3, 1999 v31 i27 p1970
Why opinion polls are worthless. (Column) Michael Barone. U.S. News & World Report Dec 9, 1996 v121 n23 p52(1) Mag.Coll.: 86J0819. Bus.Coll.: 98P2494.
How to spot a bogus poll. (opinion survey result analysis) Brad Edmondson. American Demographics Oct 1996 v18 n10 p10(5) Bus.Coll.: 97U0718.
Getting it wrong; Opinion polls; Flawed polls. (Britain)(Brief Article) The Economist (US) June 16, 2001 p6
Banish the pollsters. (pollsters have too much influence on decision makers)(The Missing Issues)(Cover Story) Suzannah Lessard. Washington Monthly Jan-Feb 1996 v28 n1-2 p26(2) Mag.Coll.: 82D4007.
George W., Poll Junkie. (Devil In The Details). (Brief Article) The American Prospect June 17, 2002 v13 i11 p7(1)
The other war room: President Bush doesn't believe in polling--just ask his pollsters. Joshua Green. Washington Monthly April 2002 v34 i4 p11(6) Mag.Coll.: 110L3440.
WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN THE POLLS. CHARLIE COOK. National Journal Sept 2, 2000 v32 i36 p2742
Presidential manipulation of polls and public opinion: the Nixon administration and the pollsters. (former Pres. Richard Nixon; Louis Harris and George Gallup) Lawrence R. Jacobs, Robert Y. Shapiro. Political Science Quarterly Winter 1995 v110 n4 p519(20)
The problem with polling. Robert Weissberg. The Public Interest Summer 2002 p37(13)
What Are Push Polls, Anyway? KARL G. FELD. Campaigns & Elections May 2000 v21 i4 p62
'Push polling' stinks. (The Political Professional)(Column) Glen Bolger, Bill McInturff. Campaigns & Elections August 1996 v17 n8 p70(1)
Do the People Rule? (public opinion polls on politics) Michael Lind. The Wilson Quarterly Wntr 2002 v26 i1 p40(10)
Assessing Poll Performance in the 2000 Campaign. Michael W. Traugott. Public Opinion Quarterly Fall 2001 v65 i3 p389(31)
Weighing public perception. (a look at public opinion surveys) John Holcomb, Buie Seawell. The Quill April 2001 v89 i3 p13
Polled Enough for Ya? Lori Robertson. American Journalism Review Jan 2001 v23 i1 p29
Polls Speed Down Slippery Slope, But They Don't Have To. ANDREW KOHUT. Columbia Journalism Review Nov 2000 v39 i4 p66
Changes in Polling. (Brief Article) Society July 2000 v37 i5 p4
Polls and the press. (Brief Article) Allan Wolper. Editor & Publisher, February 21, 2000 p50
Polls and poll-emics. (public opinion poll on controversial exhibit at Brooklyn Museum of Art shows how poll results can be manipulated)(Brief Article)(Polling Data) John Leo. U.S. News & World Report, October 18, 1999 v127 i15 p20
Polling pitfalls: 10 cautions. Harry W. O'Neill. Campaigns & Elections, September 1998 v19 n9 p60(2)
Polls and Models: Which Numbers to Believe? Charles E. Cook Jr.. The Washington Quarterly Autumn 2000 v23 i4 p195 |
