Class Surveys, Opinion studies and Polls

The course unit on Surveys, Opinion Studies, and Polling focuses on key elements central to the study of democratic processes and contemporary political communication. It provides an overview of what public opinion is, how it is assessed, and the importance of accurate analysis and interpretation of political polls.

Not applicable

Public Opinion     1.1 What is Public Opinion and How Can We Study It?     1.2 Factors Influencing Public Opinion Surveys and Polling     2.1 Polling: History. Development of the Field of Polling in Portugal     2.2 Polling: Types. Steps in Planning a Survey     2.3 Polling: How to Formulate Questions?     2.4 Polling: Sampling. Types of Errors in Polls Mini-Laboratory on Public Opinion Data Analysis     3.1 Introduction to SPSS. How to Build a Database     3.2 How to Calculate Means and Frequencies of Variables with Standard Deviations     3.3 How to Cross Variables (Cross-tabulation, t-tests, and ANOVA for Means)     3.4 How to Present Polling Data (Preparing Tables and Graphs, Presenting Differences Between Groups) Reports: How to Prepare Them Media and Polling Other Opinion Studies     6.1 Focus Groups     6.2 Social Network Analysis

This course unit comprises two types of sessions: theoretical-practical and laboratory. In the theoretical-practical sessions, concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings are presented, alternating between lectures and brief exercises and discussions. The laboratory sessions focus on conducting exercises and preparing reports to present the results of a survey. The classes emphasise practical work and critical analysis, supported by an essential theoretical introduction.

Allen, C. (2024). The Polls Weren ¿t wrong. Taylor & Francis, Ltd. Dalton, R. J. (2020). Citizen Politics: Public Opinion and Political Parties in Advanced Industrial Democracies, 7a Ed. Sage/CoPress. - Fabregas, J. F., & Amo, S. P. (2016). Las encuestas de Opinion. CSIC. - Magalhães, P. (2016). Sondagens, Eleições e Opinião Pública. Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos.