Amelia's DQ week 4

The attitude research that is mentioned in our book discusses a human's ability to differentiate negative words from positive words.

As Alice Eagly and Shelly Chaiken describe, a child eventually learns the evaluative meanings of the words "good" and "bad" if these conditioned stimuli are repeatedly paired with unconditional stimuli such ad food or physical punishment.

Discuss whether you agree or disagree with this theory. Use modern examples to justify your answer.

Details on assignment due Thursday

This post provides details on the project proposal + survey draft due Thursday. I will also hand out an assignment sheet in class.

Your proposal should be 1-2 pages in length, and contain three elements:
1. Why the topic you are investigating is significant / why you are interested in finding out more about public opinion on this topic.
2. What is currently know about public opinion on this issue.*
3. Bibliography of sources (in APA format).

* You will need to conduct preliminary online research (I recommend searching both Google News and Gallup) to determine what current polls have found regarding your topic. If you have an NDSU-specific topic, you should search for public opinion data on the broader issue. For the final project, you will be making an argument about how media coverage may have influenced opinion on this topic (see course syllabus for more detail), so keep that in mind when selecting/deciding on your topic.

In addition to the prospectus, you will submit a first draft of your survey (the one you will be posting on SurveyMonkey prior to Spring Break). The survey should contain:

1. An introductory paragraph thanking the participant for their participation and introducing them to the topic under study.
2. 15-20 questions on the topic.*
3. A brief description, underneath each question, of what you are attempting to measure with this survey item.

* You should have a variety of question types (both opinion and knowledge, for example) in your survey. You also want to collect demographic information (e.g., gender, age, political affiliation, or any other categories you want to compare data across). Keep in mind the problems of questionnaire design we discussed last Thursday, and think about how question order might influence responses.

Check out the New York Times Poll index for sample survey questions on different topics (click on "Complete Poll Results" under any of the polls listed to view questions).

Email me or leave a comment here if you have any questions or concerns about this assignment.

Remember that the project proposal + first draft is due by 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 5.

I-chieh's DQ week 4

In the textbook, Public Opinion, it explains that before discussing a topic, people will have to understand the meanings of beliefs, values, attitudes, and opinions.

According to the text, beliefs "are the cognitive components that make up our understanding of the way things are". Values "are ideas" which is what things should be. Attitudes reflects a person's like and dislikes. Last, opinions is when someone expresses thier attitude through behavior or verbally. The authors summerize that the "attitudes are built upon beliefs and values and are finally expressed as opinions.

Give an example of an object that expresses beliefs, values, attitudes and opinions. (Please avoid the example from text).
An example from text, beliefs-people are basically good. Values-we should respect diverse viewpoints. Attitudes-I respect most people. Opinions-I support equal rights for women.

Amanda's DQ Week 3

Our textbook, Public Opinion, explains the three most common methods for getting survey data from respondents which are in person, through the mail, or by telephone. Each method has its pros and cons. Pick an issue that you could ask NDSU students about which would relate to NDSU. Explain what the issue is, possible questions you may ask, and which method would give you the best survey data. Then, explain why you chose that method and what makes it better then the other two methods for the survey data you are trying to obtain.

Annie DQ Week 3

In the book Public Opinion, the authors discuss how the way in which a survey question is worded can affect the response of the survey participants. On page 84, the authors state, "Survey designers need to explain topics and options clearly, in everyday, user-friendly terms." The authors go on to say that putting a question regarding a complex issue into everyday language that respondents will readily understand "blunts the subtleties of the issue. This is a common trade-off for survey researchers: precision of meaning versus getting the general message across to a broad audience" (p. 84).

Do you feel that the "trade-off" made by many researchers is necessary and justifiable? Also, do you believe that the validity of the survey results are skewed by this "trade-off"?

Week 2 DQ

A particular underlying theme within this chapter is that of education and knowledge. Earlier in the chapter, the author(s) stress the importance of understanding history in order to make sense of the present. Plato and Aristotle debated on whether or not ordinary citizens were capable of holding competent public opinions. Machiavelli strongly felt that people are more focused on the present, rather than the future, and therefore unable to make important decisions, resulting in the need for dictatorship.

What degree of impact do you feel that education and knowledge has on opinion within the public sphere? The philosophers mentioned beforehand argued the various strengths and weaknesses of the average citizen and Tocqueville was able to form relationships with public spheres as a whole. He pointed out the difference in public opinion among societies of equality and inequality. What kinds of correlations between education, public opinion and the various forms of democracy can you find from different countries or regions (modernized vs. third world vs. developing, etc) around the world?

Week 2 DQ

The authors of “Public Opinion” discuss the very nature (history) of public opinion as we know it. The first examples come from Plato and Aristotle. Plato believed the masses cannot be trusted as they are uneducated and incapable of understanding the laws, and government which they reside under. Aristotle disagreed and advocated for the people and argued regular citizens should have a voice.

Although these two fields of thought are very different, both can be seen in modern cultures today. Explain a situation where a person could choose one theory over the other. State why you think public opinion would be a hindrance or a help and whether you think it is “fair” and ethical by today’s standards.

Time series in public opinion

Poll Finds Faith in Obama, Mixed with Patience

Public opinion on race relations

New York Times article I mentioned in class yesterday.

Example of a good discussion question

(From a course on new media technologies)

In “The Significance of Social Software,” Danah Boyd discusses the types of technologies and behaviors that emerge as a result of social software. She defines social software as a “particular set of technologies developed in the post-web-bust era…software that is all about letting people interact with people and data in a fluid way.”

Boyd lists three dramatic changes brought about by social software: the way technologies are designed, the way participation spreads and the way that people behave. Explain and give an example of one of these changes. Then describe how your everyday life has been affected by social software.

I consider this example to be an excellent discussion question because it:

1. Demonstrates solid comprehension of the reading
2. Helps students remember the main points of the reading
3. Requires students to cite the text in their response
4. Asks students to go beyond regurgitation by asking for application ("give an example of one of these changes")
5. Asks students to apply a major argument from the reading to their everyday life

Please leave questions in the comments. Thanks!

First class activity

For this activity, we will use the computer lab to search for current examples of public opinion. We will also consider issues of media framing and influence.

1. Form groups of three. Assign one person to be Searcher, one person to be Recorder, and one person to be Reporter.

2. Using Google's News Search, find an example of "public opinion."

3. How is the media source "framing" this public opinion? Record your thoughts.

After 10 minutes, the Reporter will present the example to the class.

4. Select two examples presented by other groups.

5. How do you think the media's presentation of these issues has influenced public opinion on the matter?

Welcome to the course blog

You can view/download a copy of the COMM 443 syllabus any time by clicking here.

You can set up your Survey Monkey account for the public opinion project here.