Monday 2/24 & Tuesday 2/25: 4.5-6: Measuring and Evaluating Public Opinion Data

Enduring Understanding:

Public opinion is measured through scientific polling, and the results of public opinion polls influence public policies and institutions.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the elements of a scientific poll.

Explain the quality and credibility of claims based on public opinion data.

Essential Knowledge:

Public opinion data that can impact elections and policy debates is affected by such scientific polling types and methods as:

• Type of poll (opinion polls, benchmark or tracking polls, entrance and exit polls) 
• Sampling techniques, identification of respondents, mass survey or focus group, sampling error
• Type and format of questions

The relationship between scientific polling and elections and policy debates is affected by the: §

• Importance of public opinion as a source of political influence in a given election or policy debate
• Reliability and veracity of public opinion data

Debrief 4.4:

Describe the role that "compromise" played at the Constitutional Convention in a well written paragraph.  Make sure to include the following ideas (not in any particular order)...

• The Great Compromise
• The 3/5ths Compromise
• The Bill of Rights
• The Electoral College

Activity #1: Notes over Polling

Click here for the NOTES

Activity #2: Article over Polling

Read and annotate the following article.  To annotate, make sure to do the following...

• Number the paragraphs
• Underline key claims of the author (at least one every other paragraph)
• Circle key terms

Activity #3: Unit Four Review: