Public Opinion Poll Analysis

This activity is designed for AP Government and Politics students to work in groups to determine the validity or public opinion polls. Students are presented FIVE real-world public opinion polls.

While all of the polls cover different topics and were executed with different methodologies, all of them are misleading. Students work to determine problems and flaws with the questions and the data as presented by the polls. This is a great introductory lesson or homework assignment to begin the unit on public opinion but also works well once students have learned about potential pitfalls of polling.

For teachers, this product includes a teacher's answer guide.

Phrases and topics covered in this assignment:
Public opinion, polls, polling, data, sample, sample size, bias, selection bias, sample bias, and the "Bradley Effect."