Most news media are "data rich but analysis poor" when it comes to election polling. Since election polls clearly have the power to influence campaigns and election post-mortems, it is important that "spin" not take precedence over significance in the reporting of poll results. In this volume, experts in the media and in academe challenge the conventional approaches that most news media take in their poll-based campaign coverage. The book reports new research findings on news coverage of recent presidential elections and provides a myriad of examples of how journalists and news media executives can improve their analysis of poll data, thereby better serving our political processes.

Fifth Edition. For the sixth presidential election running, Michael W. Traugott and Paul J. Lavrakas team up to give voters everything they need to know about election polls. When it comes to polls, the stakes are high, which is why this edition has been revised to incorporate information on the latest technologies used for data collection and data analysis. In straightforward language, the authors answer questions such as: - How do political candidates and organizations use poll data? - How do news organizations collect and report poll data? - Why do pollsters use samples? - How do media organizations analyze polls? They also examine common problems and complaints about polls, such as the increasing use of "push polls"-a political telemarketing technique-and polls conducted on the Internet that attract a large number of respondents who may not be representative of the general public.

Fifth Edition. For the sixth presidential election running, Michael W. Traugott and Paul J. Lavrakas team up to give voters everything they need to know about election polls. When it comes to polls, the stakes are high, which is why this edition has been revised to incorporate information on the latest technologies used for data collection and data analysis. In straightforward language, the authors answer questions such as: How do political candidates and organizations use poll data? How do news organizations collect and report poll data? Why do pollsters use samples? How do media organizations analyze polls? They also examine common problems and complaints about polls, such as the increasing use of "push polls"-a political telemarketing technique-and polls conducted on the Internet that attract a large number of respondents who may not be representative of the general public."

*Systematic approach to qualitative design: maximizes confidence in study results through the use of quality standards. *Roller is expert at explaining qualitative techniques in clear language for students or clients; Lavrakas is an internationally known survey guru. *Unique topics include how to evaluate the appropriate number of interviews, focus groups or observations; online ethnography; and pros and cons of online discussion groups. *Many student-friendly features, including summary tables, research examples, and discussion topics. *Includes guidelines for writing, reviewing, and evaluating qualitative research proposals, dissertations, and grants.

*Systematic approach to qualitative design: maximizes confidence in study results through the use of quality standards. *Roller is expert at explaining qualitative techniques in clear language for students or clients; Lavrakas is an internationally known survey guru. *Unique topics include how to evaluate the appropriate number of interviews, focus groups or observations; online ethnography; and pros and cons of online discussion groups. *Many student-friendly features, including summary tables, research examples, and discussion topics. *Includes guidelines for writing, reviewing, and evaluating qualitative research proposals, dissertations, and grants.

The reporting of the evaluation of the McGruff campaign is quite comprehensive, and the conclusions and recommendations in the final chapter offer specific guidance to the developers of the McGruff campaign as well as others involved in the mass media campaigns, whether they be national campaigns or closer to home. --Janice A. Roehl, Ph.D., President, Justice Research Center, Pacific Grove, California "Garrett J. O'Keefe and his colleagues present findings from their extensive evaluation of the 'Take a Bite Out of Crime' campaign, a nationwide effort to foster citizen responsibility for combating crime. The book is quite comprehensive and informative as well as clearly written. It covers a topic of genuine interest to crime prevention scholars, law enforcement practitioners, and media experts, especially those examining the power of the media to influence people's attitudes and behaviors. The book is also sweeping in its appeal and will interest readers of varying backgrounds and levels of knowledge." --Arthur J. Lurigio, Loyola University of Chicago "Taking a Bite Out of Crime covers an important aspect of the relationship between the media, crime, and criminal justice. It presents the latest research and is an important contribution in this area." --Ray Surette, Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, University of Central Florida Do you remember the McGruff character and his message? Taking a Bite Out of Crime examines the development and content of the campaign with that very slogan that motivated countless individuals and communities to take action to prevent crime. Comprehensive and informative, this volume presents a case study of the 14-year national information effort to stir public awareness about crime and evaluates the campaign's impact. Drawing on data from a national survey, the authors analyze the inner workings of the campaign and find an increase over the past decade in its popularity and effectiveness. A thriving, effective blend of communication and action initiatives, the campaign's strengths have included persistence, consistency of impact, and broadness of scope not seen in previous information campaign research. This volume also features state-of-the-art evaluation of the public's perceptions and attitudes toward crime and provides excellent data-based recommendations for future campaigns. A unique study of a campaign that has reached more than 80% of the American public, Taking a Bite Out of Crime offers a case study that combines elements of interest to both criminal justice and media researchers. Policy makers, law enforcement specialists in crime prevention, public campaign planners in a range of fields, program evaluation specialists, and marketers will also find the book rich with relevant information.

The reporting of the evaluation of the McGruff campaign is quite comprehensive, and the conclusions and recommendations in the final chapter offer specific guidance to the developers of the McGruff campaign as well as others involved in the mass media campaigns, whether they be national campaigns or closer to home. --Janice A. Roehl, Ph.D., President, Justice Research Center, Pacific Grove, California "Garrett J. O'Keefe and his colleagues present findings from their extensive evaluation of the 'Take a Bite Out of Crime' campaign, a nationwide effort to foster citizen responsibility for combating crime. The book is quite comprehensive and informative as well as clearly written. It covers a topic of genuine interest to crime prevention scholars, law enforcement practitioners, and media experts, especially those examining the power of the media to influence people's attitudes and behaviors. The book is also sweeping in its appeal and will interest readers of varying backgrounds and levels of knowledge." --Arthur J. Lurigio, Loyola University of Chicago "Taking a Bite Out of Crime covers an important aspect of the relationship between the media, crime, and criminal justice. It presents the latest research and is an important contribution in this area." --Ray Surette, Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, University of Central Florida Do you remember the McGruff character and his message? Taking a Bite Out of Crime examines the development and content of the campaign with that very slogan that motivated countless individuals and communities to take action to prevent crime. Comprehensive and informative, this volume presents a case study of the 14-year national information effort to stir public awareness about crime and evaluates the campaign's impact. Drawing on data from a national survey, the authors analyze the inner workings of the campaign and find an increase over the past decade in its popularity and effectiveness. A thriving, effective blend of communication and action initiatives, the campaign's strengths have included persistence, consistency of impact, and broadness of scope not seen in previous information campaign research. This volume also features state-of-the-art evaluation of the public's perceptions and attitudes toward crime and provides excellent data-based recommendations for future campaigns. A unique study of a campaign that has reached more than 80% of the American public, Taking a Bite Out of Crime offers a case study that combines elements of interest to both criminal justice and media researchers. Policy makers, law enforcement specialists in crime prevention, public campaign planners in a range of fields, program evaluation specialists, and marketers will also find the book rich with relevant information.

"From generating phone numbers to structuring the work of interviewers and supervisors, this book covers it all. New to this edition is a focus on the total survey error concept, a comparison of CATI and PAPI procedures, mixed-mode surveys, and new telecommunication technologies." --Canadian Journal of Communication "Telephone Survey Methods is a useful and practical guide to conducting telephone surveys particularly for those who are seeking sampling and administrative guidelines." --Journal of Official Statistics What quality control methods can be employed most effectively to structure and monitor interviews and convert refusals? What telephone numbers should be used in random digit dialing? How can eligible respondents be chosen and their cooperation secured? Addressing these and other survey issues, this completely revised edition of Telephone Survey Methods offers researchers a guide to thinking about and executing telephone surveys. From generating phone numbers to structuring the work of interviewers and supervisers, this book covers it all. New to this edition is a focus on the total survey error concept, a comparison of CATI with PAPI procedures, mixed-mode surveys, and new telecommunication technologies. In addition, the book covers such topics as how to control the sampling pool, how to identify the appropriate respondent, and how to improve on-the-job training of interviewers.