Using Polls to Learn About America
Use data found in public opinion polls to teach the class about a particular issue or topic and how Americans view the issue/topic that you chose.
Procedures:
1. Use the links below to view lists of public opinion poll topics. After browsing all the topics, make a list of the top 3-5 that you would like to learn about. You will need to have several backup choices because no more than two individuals or groups in the class will be allowed to work on the same topic.
Use these four indexes to help choose your topic(s):
Once you've decided on a topic, you can also check out these other polling websites for data:
CBS News Polls
Marist Polls
Pollster.com
You may also use search engines to help find data, but the data you use MUST be from a poll that follows the 5 step scientific polling process that we studied in class (NO internet straw polls!). If you doubt the reliability of a poll, DON'T USE IT.
2. Use the data you find to create either a poster or a power point presentation that will teach the class about your topic and about the public's opinion(s) on this issue.
3. Your project should use data from as many different polls as possible, preferably from different polling organizations.
4 When choosing a topic, make sure that there is more than one poll available on that topic. If the issue or topic that you choose is narrow, please chose another related topic to make your presentation complete.
5. Based on the data that you found from the various polls, you must draw some kind of a conclusion(s) about the public's opinion(s) on the issue of your choice
6. Your presentation should be visually appealing and free of grammar / spelling errors.
7. I would like at least some of the projects to be presented to the class. Individuals or groups who are chosen to present will receive extra credit.
