Which of these public opinion polling question types is superior?
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  Which of these public opinion polling question types is superior? 		« previous next »
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Poll
Question: Which of these public opinion polling question types  is superior?
#1
Vague quedstions on "ideology" (ie "Do you consider yourself a liberal or conservative?"		  
#2
Specific questions on concrete issues (ie "Do you support higher tax rates for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans?"		  
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Author Topic: Which of these public opinion polling question types is superior?  (Read 403 times)
All Along The Watchtower
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« on: January 09, 2014, 01:10:42 PM »
Option 2, IMHO, reveals a lot more about what a person actually thinks than Option 1-especially if the question is phrased in a manner that doesn't refer to electoral politics or political figures (ie: "Do you support universal public health care in America?" vs "Do you support 'Obamacare'?)

EDIT: that's "Questions", not "quedstions." Tongue
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Antonio the Sixth
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« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2014, 01:12:34 PM »
Option 2, of course. It's abundantly clear most people have no idea what the terms "conservative" and "liberal" are supposed to mean.
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Del Tachi
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« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2014, 01:16:56 PM »
« Edited: March 19, 2014, 02:43:08 PM by Del Tachi »
Option 1 may be a better indicator of how one may vote.

There are plenty of "conservatives" who support raising taxes on the super rich, but all these people will still vote GOP come election day.

It's a result of identity politics. 
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Cassius
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« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2014, 01:21:52 PM »
Option two is more useful, obviously, for gauging where people stand on single issues. On the other hand the former option, asking someone as to what their ideology is, is a far better gauge of someone's values and mindset than the latter, and thus is probably a better indication of which party they lean to. For example, it is easily conceivable that a gun owner who supports the right to bear arms and 'stand your ground' laws, one who votes straight-ticket Republican at national elections, will support background checks on those who buy firearms. The same holds when it comes to the difference between someone who supports the decriminalisation of marijuana because 'its a question of individual liberty' and someone who supports it because 'its impractical to enforce a ban'. The second option is actually pretty redundant unless a 'why' question is tacked on.
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TNF
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« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2014, 05:35:54 PM »
option two (normal)
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ElectionsGuy
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« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2014, 05:37:43 PM »
Definitely the second.
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H. Ross Peron
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« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2014, 06:50:50 PM »
Quote from: Il cavaliere decaduto on January 09, 2014, 01:12:34 PM
Option 2, of course. It's abundantly clear most people have no idea what the terms "conservative" and "liberal" are supposed to mean.
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Deus Naturae
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« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2014, 07:41:18 PM »
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Goldwater
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« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2014, 08:00:32 PM »
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Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.
Nathan
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« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2014, 08:13:12 PM »
Option 2 is obviously better, although they both have their uses for the reason that Del Tachi mentions.
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