4.6

Standard 4B

Public opinion is measured through scientific polling, and the results of public opinion polls influence public policies and institutions.

Learning Objective

Explain the quality and credibility of claims based on public opinion data.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

The relationship between scientific polling and elections and policy debates is affected by the:

• Importance of public opinion as a source of political influence in a given election or policy debate

• Reliability and veracity of public opinion data