Curated OER
Every Vote Counts Lesson Plan
Students conduct weekly opinion polls or surveys about topics that are important to classmates. Using the information gathered, they design a bulletin board display. On the display, they show the poll questions, the names of the groups...
Curated OER
Assessing Public Opinion Polls
Students are introduced to the purpose of public opinion polls. Using recent polls, they determine the demographics of who was interviewed and when and where the interview was conducted. In groups, they develop their own public poll...
Cornell University
Cornell University: Roper Center for Public Opinion Research
This site is useful because it offers a database of over 300,000 questions asked on surveys since the 1930s. Also contains Latin American and Japanese data bank retrieval system as well. Listing of general social surveys 1972-1998.
PBS
The History of Using Sampling Methods
This lesson plan will allow students to understand how the sampling methods used in political polls developed throughout the twentieth century. Approximately five hours in length with materials free and downloadable.
University of Maryland
Department of Sociology: Polls Take Commanding Lead in Politics, Business
Article presents a useful discussion on the basics of public opinion polling, problems with the polling process, sources of public opinion data and tips for consumers.
Other
National Council for the Social Studies: Political Polling in Past and Present
Students will examine several historical elections where the results may have been different if there had been political polling at that time. Read background on polls impact on elections, study each given election and answer questions...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Public Opinion: Voice of the People
Examine public opinion and the various means in which to collect it as well as how the government uses the opinions collected. This resource offers video, readings, web resources, and activities.
Other
Gallup Home: Gallup
Official homepage of the Gallup Organization. Fascinating look at all sorts of polls.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Public Opinion and American Democracy
Illustrate the significance of public opinion during political events by utilizing these reading resources.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 1199: Gallup Poll
An informal, almost light-hearted, discussion of two of the great historical failures of public polling experts. This is a transcript of an accompanying radio broadcast.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Pros and Cons of Public Opinion Polls
How do public opinion polls work? And, more importantly, are they accurate? Jason Robert Jaffe reveals the complexities and biases of polls and provides tips on how to think about polls as we make everyday decisions. [4:25]
Other
Polling report.com
This non-partisan site reports the results of the latest national public opinion polls. Constantly updates and informational.
Other
Real Clear Politics: Polls: Election 2016 Presidential Polls
Website with news and information on the polls of the 2016 presidential campaign.
Youngzine
Youngzine: u.s. Elections 2016: What Are Opinion Polls?
What are opinion polls? Which opinions count? What do the numbers tell us and how reliable are they? Find out in this brief article and video.
USA Today
Usa Today: Election 2016: Presidential Poll Tracker
USA Today news source on the presidential election provides coverage of the 2016 polls.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Cast Your Vote!
Cast your vote and answer some questions on the accuracy, usefulness, and impact of polls. Then read about what role polls play in an election.
Other
Dover Adult Learning Center: Pick Your Candidate [Pdf]
This document from the Dover Adult Learning Center is a nice resource for any beginners in the political decision-making process. Provides links to material to help decipher ads, candidate speeches, rhetorical tricks, campaign issues,...
iCivics
I Civics: The Poll Picture (Infographic)
Use this infographic to show the process of surveying from pollster to prediction. Students will engage with the concept of sampling and gain a better understanding of the purpose of public opinion polls.