Thursday 2/20 & Friday 2/21: 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 4.3: Unit One Review

In class we will review the Madisonian System, then answer the following questions...

1. How did the Madisonian System demonstrate the principle of Separation of Powers?
2. What are the Checks and Balances that exist within the Madisonian System
3. How does this system reflect the main arguments of Federalist 10 and 51?

Opener:  Below are the most common sources for the formation of political opinion.  Choose the 2 that you feel are/were the most influential in developing your political opinions and craft a an argument for why that might be.   Be sure to provide a line of reasoning for your claim that allows others to fully understand your thinking.  

• Peers
• Parents
• School/teachers
• Famous figure
• News Media
• Social Media
• Movies/shows
• Political Ads
• Other nation's policies

When you have finished, compare your list with your neighbor.  Make sure that you take the time to explain your top and bottom choices in your ranking to that person.

Activity #1: TIP-C to learn about Voter Behavior...

For each of the following charts complete a TIP-C analysis in your notebooks.  Make sure to highlight or underline the C(onclusion) for each one; this is the important learning target for the lesson...

NUMBER ONE

NUMBER TWO

NUMBER THREE

Activity #2:  Notes over Polling...

Click here for the NOTES