Glossary
Intensity
Refers to how strongly individuals feel about an issue. It measures the depth of conviction behind a person's opinion.
Example:
A student who actively campaigns for environmental protection demonstrates high intensity regarding climate change, unlike someone who only expresses mild concern.
Lack of Disclosure
When pollsters or research organizations do not reveal their methods, sampling techniques, or other relevant information about how their data was collected. This makes it difficult to assess the reliability and accuracy of their results.
Example:
A news organization reporting poll results without detailing the sample size, margin of error, or survey questions demonstrates a lack of disclosure, making the data's credibility questionable.
Late Deciding
Voters who make up their minds about who to vote for very close to or on election day. These individuals can be difficult for pollsters to accurately track.
Example:
In a tight election, a significant number of late deciding voters can swing the outcome, making pre-election polls less predictive.
Manifest Opinion
The widely shared and openly expressed views on an issue within the general public. It represents what people are willing to state publicly.
Example:
After a major natural disaster, the widespread public demand for government aid and infrastructure repair becomes a clear manifest opinion.
Nonresponse Bias
A type of bias that occurs when certain groups of people are less likely to participate in a survey or poll than others. This can lead to a sample that is not representative of the overall population.
Example:
If a political poll primarily reaches older, more affluent individuals because younger, lower-income groups are less likely to answer unknown calls, it could suffer from nonresponse bias.
Public Opinion
The collective attitudes and beliefs of a population on a given issue or set of issues. It acts as a significant force in shaping political decisions and national discourse.
Example:
When a large majority of citizens express support for stricter gun control laws, this collective sentiment represents a powerful form of public opinion that politicians often feel compelled to address.
Salience
The extent to which an issue personally affects an individual or is considered important by them. Issues with high salience are those people care deeply about.
Example:
For a family struggling with medical debt, healthcare reform is a high-salience issue, directly impacting their daily lives and financial stability.