Table of Contents >
   Part I. Organizing for Effective Advocacy
(Chapters 3... >
      Chapter 31. Conducting Advocacy Research >
         Section 3. Gathering Data on Public Opinion >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Gathering Data on Public Opinion

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Robert Kramer and Eric Wadud Edited by Jerry Schultz and Bill Berkowitz

Tools

Checklist

 

Tools

Tool 1: Opinion poll

Here's a general poll about local issues in a community that you can use when gathering information on opinions.


INSTRUCTIONS: Please complete the following survey and return in the enclosed postage -paid envelope. All answers will be kept confidential and will be used for statistical purpose only.

1. Generally speaking, what do you think is the most important problem facing our state today?

( )Economy (go to 2)
( )Agriculture (go to 4)
( )Environment (go to 4)
( )Don't know (go to 4)
( )Other -- specify _____________(go to 4)


2. If your answer was ECONOMY for the above question, then what part of the economy do you think is the biggest part of the for us now?

( )Unemployment
( )Interest rates
( )Taxation
( )Budget deficit
( )Inflation
( )Other--specify______________
( )Don't know

3. In general, how good a job would you say the local legislature is doing in solving your economic problems?

( )Excellent
( )Good
( )Fair
( )Poor

4. How do you feel about an income tax break for school tuition? This would be a tax break for parents who send their children to private or parochial schools must pay tuition.

( )Favor (go to 5)
( )Oppose (go to 6)
( )Don't know (go to 6)

5. Would you favor an income tax break for tuition even if it reduced the money available for public schools?

( )Yes
( )No
( )Don't know

6. Some people think current environmental policy hinders the community's economic growth. Others do not think so. Do you think current environmental policy hinders economic growth?

( )Hinders growth a great deal
( )Somewhat hinders growth
( )Has no effect
( )Helps growth somewhat
( )Helps growth a great deal
( )Don't know

7. One issue of current concern is the new wastewater disposal policy under consideration by the Legislature. How concerned about this issue are you?

( )Greatly concerned
( )Moderately concerned
( )Slightly concerned
( )Not concerned at all
( )Don't know

8. Regardless of how you may vote in the upcoming election, do you generally consider yourself to be a Democrat, Republican or Independent?

( )Independent (go to 9)
( )Democrat (go to 10)
( )Republican (go to 10)
( )Don't know (go to 10)

9. Do you generally consider yourself to be closer to the Democratic or Republican parties?

( )Democratic
( )Republican
( )Neither
( )Still don't know

10. When it comes to receiving information on local current events, which information source do you rely the most? (choose only ONE)

( )Television
( )Newspaper
( )Radio
( )Other--specify ______________________

11. What is the highest level of education you have completed?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 +

12. What year were you born? _______________________

13. What was your reported income year, before taxes?

( )Under $25,000
( )Between $25,000 and $40,000
( )Over $40,000


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Checklist

Here you will find a checklist summarizing the important points of the section .


___You know what gathering information on opinion is

___You know why you want to know what people think

___You know what kind of information you are looking for

___You know whose opinions you are trying to measure

___You know what you are going to do with the information, once you get it

___You know how do you gather information on opinions

___You now you may encounter some obstacles, and you know how to get around them.


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