Polls & Focus Groups
General Information About Political Polls
What the Heck is A Likely Voter? -- The basics of how to read a political poll by Pew Research
Common Questions About Polls-- Read! Much of the information in this short FAQ will be helpful for the AP exam in May.
Twenty Questions A Journalist Should Ask About Poll Results -- You will use these questions to analyze the poll you select on your topic. See assignment sheet for specific instructions. You do not have to address all twenty questions.
FAQs About Exit Polls -- Everything you need to know about National Election Exit Polls from the organization who conducts them
Sites with Comprehensive Listings of Polls
Talking Point Memo -- Best list of political polling sites (party affiliation is noted)
The Polling Report -- Compilation of recent polls including surveys on public policy issues
The Most Respected Polling Organizations
The Gallup Poll -- George Gallup is the "father of political polling"
Wall Street Journal/NBC (difficult to find specific polls or topics)
American National Election Studies (sophisticated -- for real geeks)
Energy Insiders Polls by National Journal -- Polls about energy policy topics
More than Politics . . .
The U.S. Census -- Great!
American Fact Finder by the U.S. Census Bureau -- Find almost any statistic about the U.S.
Institute for Social Research at University of Michigan -- All social science issues -- not just political
Sites for Upcoming Units
Presidential Approval Center-- Gallup provides a comprehensive, interactive page that allows individuals to compare the approval ratings of presidents (Truman through Obama). It is especially interesting to see how members of the different parties regarded the presidents. You must spend some time with the site to fully explore the site. We will use this site during our POTUS unit.