Follow these steps and never get that article on poll results wrong again
Polls are a popular tool to measure anything from voting intention to public opinion about the latest government policy.
However, reporting on polls can be far more complicated than it first seems. Not only journalists need to be aware of the margin of error, they also have to pay attention to the method used and quality of the surveyed sample.
To help you out, Denise-Marie Ordway of Journalists’s Resource rounded up these eleven questions journalists should ask when reporting on public opinion polls.
“When covering polls, it’s important for journalists to try to gauge the quality of a poll and make sure claims made about the results actually match the data collected.
“Sometimes, pollsters overgeneralise or exaggerate their findings. Sometimes, flaws in the way they choose participants or collect data make it tough to tell what the results really mean,” she writes.
If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).
Sign up to receive job alerts of your choice by email, or manage your subscription
Featured recruiter: click to view its vacancies
The UK’s fastest-growing travel trade media brand seeks a full-time, NCTJ-trained journalist to join its busy news team
Subscribe to our newsletter for latest news, tips, jobs and more
End that deadline stress today and find help in our freelance directory
Personal trainer James Hilton has launched a podcast 'Jim's Gym - Inspiring Movement'. James, a specialist in biomechanics and injury recovery from the Cotswolds, runs Jim's Gym, a virtual online space supporting people over 55 to be more active
Our 35th Newsrewired conference will be held 13 May 2025, News UK, London.
Our community of experts gives a heads-up on the most important shifts your newsroom needs to prepare for this year
Conferences and study weeks are fantastic opportunities to get the latest updates on the industry and network with your peers
If you find your social feeds a tad too heavy on men's voices, follow and connect with these fantastic women experts on indie media
How do you move print readers to digital? Are there other ways to hold on to subscribers besides a last-ditch deal?
