2008 Woodie Awards
Poll on polling: how accurate are they?
Kristine Duker
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: News
It seems like everyday there is a new email or phone call about a survey going around, but have you ever wondered how accurate these surveys are?
No one ever has a lie detector machine attached to him or her while taking a survey, so how do we know if people are lying when they fill them out? Jerry Lindsley, director of Sacred Heart Polling Institute wondered this and performed a poll on polling.
The Poll on polling was designed by students in the Lindsley Polling and Research Course. The poll was designed to provide input on the current national issues.
Questions were addressed on current issues, such as enhancement drugs in sports, perception on polling and the Nov. 2008 elections.
The survey was given to 800 Americans nationwide. From March 3-15, Americans nationwide were contacted and performed the surveys. The head of the household, 18 years or older were asked questions on the current national issues.
According to the poll, 46.3 percent of Americans are most concerned with poor economy, 34.1 percent are concerned about the War in Iraq, 18.3 percent are concerned with the cost of health care and 16.3 percent are concerned about gas prices.
When it comes to enhancement drugs in sports, the respondents estimated that 34.3 percent of professional sports players use performance enhancing drugs.
"I can believe that statement. It seems like every day you find out someone new in the professional league is getting accused of using an enhancement drug. People today are not surprised by that," said sophomore Kelly McKeown.
And what about the poll on polling? Only 21.9 percent of the respondents reported that the polls are somewhat inaccurate or not accurate at all. Overall, 71.0 percent of the respondents believe polls are somewhat accurate and very accurate.
The respondents were also asked questions on the upcoming elections. They were asked questions about the candidates and if they are being treated fairly in the media and on voting accuracy.
No one ever has a lie detector machine attached to him or her while taking a survey, so how do we know if people are lying when they fill them out? Jerry Lindsley, director of Sacred Heart Polling Institute wondered this and performed a poll on polling.
The Poll on polling was designed by students in the Lindsley Polling and Research Course. The poll was designed to provide input on the current national issues.
Questions were addressed on current issues, such as enhancement drugs in sports, perception on polling and the Nov. 2008 elections.
The survey was given to 800 Americans nationwide. From March 3-15, Americans nationwide were contacted and performed the surveys. The head of the household, 18 years or older were asked questions on the current national issues.
According to the poll, 46.3 percent of Americans are most concerned with poor economy, 34.1 percent are concerned about the War in Iraq, 18.3 percent are concerned with the cost of health care and 16.3 percent are concerned about gas prices.
When it comes to enhancement drugs in sports, the respondents estimated that 34.3 percent of professional sports players use performance enhancing drugs.
"I can believe that statement. It seems like every day you find out someone new in the professional league is getting accused of using an enhancement drug. People today are not surprised by that," said sophomore Kelly McKeown.
And what about the poll on polling? Only 21.9 percent of the respondents reported that the polls are somewhat inaccurate or not accurate at all. Overall, 71.0 percent of the respondents believe polls are somewhat accurate and very accurate.
The respondents were also asked questions on the upcoming elections. They were asked questions about the candidates and if they are being treated fairly in the media and on voting accuracy.
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