Understanding Polling Concepts and Bias

What happened in the 1948 election that showed public opinion polls can be wrong?

• The polls correctly predicted the winner.

• The polls said Dewey would win, but Truman actually won.

• The polls said Truman would win, but Dewey actually won.

• The polls were too difficult for people to understand.

Why can a poll with a "narrow" sample be misleading?

• It asks too many questions.

• It only asks people from one small area or group.

• It is too hard for people to understand.

• It asks people about things they don't know.

What is "interviewer bias" in a poll?

• When the questions are too hard to answer.

• When the person asking the questions influences the answers.

• When the sample is too small.

• When people don't want to answer the questions.

What is a "push poll"?

• A poll that asks very easy questions.

• A poll that tries to make people answer in a certain way.

• A poll that is done by phone.

• A poll that asks about sports.

Take poll results with what?

• A grain of salt

• A salad

• A coke zero

• Seriously