Scientific Opinion Polling

[sync pulse]

Polling…The standard for the last several decades for scientific polling was the telephone…the home telephone.

You could tell where the respondents lived and therefore figure out the sampling and make sure it was reflecting the population.

But now, with cell phones it is harder to make a scientific sampling…You can’t tell where they live from the telephone numbers…and people get really angry if you call them on their cell phones and ask, “Who are you voting for?”…not to mention all the associated questions a poll taker has to ask to do it right.

[Dos Equis]

Polling…The standard for the last several decades for scientific polling was the telephone…the home telephone.

You could tell where the respondents lived and therefore figure out the sampling and make sure it was reflecting the population.

But now, with cell phones it is harder to make a scientific sampling…You can’t tell where they live from the telephone numbers…and people get really angry if you call them on their cell phones and ask, “Who are you voting for?”…not to mention all the associated questions a poll taker has to ask to do it right.

Good point.  Landlines are disappearing, especially with younger folks. 

[240 is Back]

In most states (primaries), people tell the pollsters who they will choose in the private voting booths, and that's what happens.

In Iowa, people knew who they intended to vote for... then they had to enter a big room and stand in a corner for that person.  Then they often has to change corners if their corner wasn't big enough.  Then they move around, try to convince each other, etc etc.

Everywhere else, with a primary, it'll be 'enter the booth and vote for who you want' without your religious neighbors shaking their head at you.