January 11, 2021
While some consider public opinion polls critical to democratic accountability, others question the ability of today’s pollsters to accurately reflect the public’s preferences on issues and candidates.
The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research will host a virtual forum Jan. 21 to examine the future of polling. The event, at 6 p.m., is free and open to the public; registration is required.
A panel of polling, media and survey research experts will discuss what we can and should expect from public opinion polls. Panelists will examine the importance of polls for democratic representation, evolving survey methodologies and how the media is likely to use polls in the future.
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How the Reality Check Insights poll was done
A roll of “I Voted!” stickers are shown during the 2020 election season.
(Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press)
Jan. 29, 2021 7 AM PT
The Los Angeles Times and Reality Check Insights, a California-based data analytics firm, teamed up to survey the public on underlying values that shape public opinion.
The poll, which was conducted in English and Spanish, uses a method that differs from traditional phone-based surveys. Here’s how it works:
Like other surveys, Reality Check Insights uses sampling to recruit survey respondents. The traditional method used by polling organizations is to randomly call individuals and ask those who respond to take a survey. That has gotten increasingly difficult as fewer and fewer people answer calls from unexpected numbers.