Regular Readers Expect More Polling Details

Abstract

People who regularly read newspapers rate a poll without information about how it was done as less informative and less objective than do those who do not regularly read newspapers.

The de-emphasis of sampling error in coverage of presidential approval ratings

“…18 The latter is especially important given research indicating that regular newspaper readers rate polls as less informative and less objective when methodological details are left out. 19 The Associated Press Stylebook recommends the context to use poll data with specific guidelines, such as "Carefully word such stories to avoid exaggerating the meaning of poll results." 20 It also provides detailed guidelines as how to handle sampling error.…”