Behind the Numbers: methodology


Posted at 02:20 PM ET, 05/15/2012

Political surveys survive response fall-off, Pew finds
By Scott Clement
The Pew Research Center’s latest detailed study of survey quality paints a worrisome picture for survey response rates, but again shows that a well-done telephone poll accurately represents the U.S. population on a broad range of political and demographic measures.

By Scott Clement  |  02:20 PM ET, 05/15/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  methodology, Voting, Polls

Posted at 02:16 PM ET, 02/27/2012

‘Post-preferred’ polls: Can I trust this poll?
By Scott Clement
Now, when you use The Post’s Politics App for iPad to see the latest state polling, you’ll see a label next to each poll we’ve designated as Post preferred.

By Scott Clement  |  02:16 PM ET, 02/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  2012 polls, methodology

Posted at 07:29 PM ET, 02/22/2012

Are polls on foreign policy accurate?
By Scott Clement
“Lies, damn lies and statistics” is a jab sometimes aimed at political polls, and in the complicated business of foreign policy polling there’s plenty for people to argue over. If most Americans aren’t foreign policy wonks, are these results even meaningful?

By Scott Clement  |  07:29 PM ET, 02/22/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  International polls, Barack Obama, GOP nomination, methodology

Posted at 12:17 PM ET, 01/30/2012

Poll watcher: Are capital gains tax rates popular?
By Scott Clement
A New York Times/CBS News poll shows a stark partisan divide on whether investment income should be taxed at a lower rate than ordinary earnings.

By Scott Clement  |  12:17 PM ET, 01/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Barack Obama, Economy, Federal Budget Deficit, GOP nomination, Presidential Approval, Republican Party, Voting, methodology | Tags:  budget deficit, gop nomination, Republican Party

Posted at 12:43 PM ET, 01/13/2012

A magical ride for polls
By Dan Hopkins
There is something about contemporary polls that is impressive and unexpected, if not a touch magical.

By Dan Hopkins  |  12:43 PM ET, 01/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  methodology, Polls

Posted at 03:27 PM ET, 01/12/2012

Poll watcher: Mormons in America, rich vs. poor and S.C. polls
By Scott Clement
A survey of Mormons in America finds the group is highly religious and happy in their lives but also concerned with perceptions of their faith.

By Scott Clement  |  03:27 PM ET, 01/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  GOP nomination, 2012 polls, methodology

Posted at 02:59 PM ET, 01/06/2012

Poll watcher: Romney, Santorum surge in S.C.; Gingrich drops
By Scott Clement
Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum have gained support in South Carolina while Newt Gingrich has taken a nose dive, according to a new poll by CNN and Time magazine.

By Scott Clement  |  02:59 PM ET, 01/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  GOP nomination, methodology, Economy, 2012 polls, 2012 polls

Posted at 11:39 AM ET, 12/29/2011

Poll watcher: Obama seen as liberal; Hispanics in 2012, Iowa roundup
By Scott Clement
57 percent majority of Americans see president’s political views as liberal, versus 23 percent who see him as a moderate and 15 percent as conservative, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll released Thursday.

By Scott Clement  |  11:39 AM ET, 12/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  2012 polls, Barack Obama, GOP nomination, methodology, Immigration

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/22/2011

Déjà vu for New Hampshire polling?
By Scott Clement
New Hampshire has long earned a reputation as the Bermuda Triangle for pollsters. Within a window of days two polls conclude both that “Mitt Romney holds a commanding lead” and “Romney and Gingrich in a statistical tie.” Why the difference?

By Scott Clement  |  07:00 AM ET, 11/22/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  GOP nomination, methodology

Posted at 12:08 PM ET, 09/20/2011

#Pollwatch: Perry holds strong; taxing rich is popular; text messaging flourishes
By Scott Clement
Rick Perry maintains his frontrunner status in the first major national poll since the Texas governor was bombarded with criticism by his primary opponents.

By Scott Clement  |  12:08 PM ET, 09/20/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Polls, GOP nomination, methodology

Posted at 03:31 PM ET, 04/13/2010

Just what is the South?
By Jon Cohen
For many - my grandmother included - the South is a state of mind, but for data analysts, firmer definition is required. Herein lies a challenge: just what states constitute the region again at the forefront of political discourse? Notably, the Census, exit pollsters and the American National Election Study...

By Jon Cohen  |  03:31 PM ET, 04/13/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  methodology