Pitfalls of Polls: Track 1

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What are opinions polls? A public form of political gossip, a way for politicians to test public reactions to policies or an accurate prediction of how people will vote? Opinion polls have their uses, but it is important to remember they do not, and are not intended to, predict the future. Getting political opinion polling in perspective is not always as straight forward as it seems.

By: The OpenLearn team (The Open University,)

Duration 15 mins
Updated Sunday 24th October 2010
Posted under Politics

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Track 1: The making of the public opinion: Your truth or theirs

A public form of political gossip, a way for politicians to test out public reaction to policies, an accurate prediction of how people will vote? Getting political opinion polling in perspective is not always as straight forward as it seems.

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Tracks in this podcast:

Track	Title	Description
1	The making of the public opinion: Your truth or theirs	A public form of political gossip, a way for politicians to test out public reaction to policies, an accurate prediction of how people will vote? Getting political opinion polling in perspective is not always as straight forward as it seems. Play now The making of the public opinion: Your truth or theirs
2	Perspective: The making of the public opinion: Your truth or theirs	Opinion polls have their uses - but it is important to remember they do not, nor are intended to, predict the future. Join Dave Middleton for a discussion about the pitfalls of polls, and dangers of irresponsible media reporting. Play now Perspective: The making of the public opinion: Your truth or theirs