{"id":196328,"date":"2024-12-20T09:35:51","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T14:35:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?post_type=fact-sheet&#038;p=196328"},"modified":"2025-04-23T23:50:01","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T03:50:01","slug":"topic-why-public-opinion-matters-and-how-to-measure-it","status":"publish","type":"fact-sheet","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/fact-sheet\/topic-why-public-opinion-matters-and-how-to-measure-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Topic: Why public opinion matters and how to measure it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img data-dominant-color=\"3f4244\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #3f4244;\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/FT_18.10.12_DefiningUniverse_feature.jpg?w=640\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21184 not-transparent\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-fact-sheet-collection\"><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-fact-sheet-collection--parent-term\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/collections\/legislative-semester-topic-briefs\/\">Legislative Semester Topic Briefs<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-fact-sheet-collection--term-list\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/fact-sheet\/topic-affirmative-action-in-college-admissions\/\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-fact-sheet-collection--term-link\">Affirmative Action in College Admissions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/fact-sheet\/topic-freedom-of-the-press\/\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-fact-sheet-collection--term-link\">Freedom of the Press<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/fact-sheet\/topic-government-aid-to-immigrants-in-the-u-s-illegally\/\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-fact-sheet-collection--term-link\">Government Aid to Immigrants in the U.S. Illegally<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/fact-sheet\/topic-gun-ownership-and-regulation\/\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-fact-sheet-collection--term-link\">Gun Ownership and Regulation<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/fact-sheet\/topic-legalizing-marijuana\/\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-fact-sheet-collection--term-link\">Legalizing Marijuana<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/fact-sheet\/topic-prayer-in-schools\/\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-fact-sheet-collection--term-link\">Prayer in Schools<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/fact-sheet\/topic-why-public-opinion-matters-and-how-to-measure-it\/\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-fact-sheet-collection--term-link is-active\">Why Public Opinion Matters and How To Measure It<\/a><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/12\/ls_2024.12.20_why-surveys-matter.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-fact-sheet-collection--pdf-link\" download><i class=\"file pdf icon\"><\/i> Download PDF<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The main way Americans participate in our representative democracy and make their voices heard is by voting and sending elected representatives to do the work of government. But even when they\u2019re not selecting candidates or voting on important issues in their community, Americans have views and opinions that matter and should be included in the public dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Public opinion polling is an important way to make sure these views and opinions are brought into important national debates and conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Here are a few reasons why measuring public opinion is important:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>It helps elected leaders know how the people they represent are feeling and how the policies they\u2019re enacting are affecting people\u2019s lives.<\/strong> Of course, there are ways constituents can contact their representatives directly (like writing letters or reaching out over social media). But not everyone is that highly engaged, and people who are less involved might have different opinions from those whose voices are the loudest. Public opinion polling captures a wider range of viewpoints.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>It lets elected leaders know what people who voted in an election cared about and what they wanted. <\/strong>People choose candidates in elections for many different reasons. Even those who voted for the winner may not agree with the candidate about everything. Public opinion polls can tell us which issues were most important and how the voters want them to be handled. They also shed light on the views of people who voted for the losing candidate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>It lets elected leaders know how the people who don\u2019t regularly vote feel about issues and policies.<\/strong> Even in elections with high voter turnout, at least a third of Americans don\u2019t vote. Polling can bring their voices into the mix.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>It helps elected leaders set priorities and provides a counterweight to powerful interests. <\/strong>Lawmakers face a lot of pressures from people and organizations that have a stake in government policies. Political donors and lobbyists are good examples of this. Ultimately, public opinion can serve as a check on those in power by elevating the concerns of everyday people.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>It helps us understand how the public is feeling about things outside of politics and government.<\/strong> How are people experiencing family life? What are their hopes for the future? What are their religious beliefs? Understanding these things helps us make sense of the world and how things are changing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;how-are-public-opinion-polls-conducted&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-are-public-opinion-polls-conducted\">How are public opinion polls conducted?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The basic goal of a survey is to learn about a large group or population based on what we can learn from a small number of people who are part of that group. The large population could be the general public, registered voters, or even a narrower group like all teenagers ages 13 to 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Once we know what population or group we want to study, we need to choose a random sample of people from that group who will represent the views of the entire group. We also need to decide how we are going to interview those people and what specific questions we are going to ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s unpack that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-medium-font-size\">\n<li><strong>Sampling:<\/strong> A good poll needs a sample that includes lots of different kinds of people. The best way to get that diversity is through something called <em>random sampling,<\/em> a method that gives everybody in your target population an equal (or at least a known) chance of being included.<br><br>In order to identify a random sample for a telephone poll, researchers call a random selection of telephone numbers. For an online poll, researchers will often recruit people through the mail, using a randomized list of mailing addresses. People can then be asked to complete the survey online. These two approaches give nearly every American a chance to be polled.<br><br>Random sampling isn\u2019t perfect. But pollsters can correct for some of the potential problems using a technique called <em>weighting<\/em>.<br><br>Weighting adjusts the data after it\u2019s been collected so the sample comes closer to matching what\u2019s known about the population that was being studied. So, for example, if a survey included too many men, their responses would be weighted down. And if a survey didn\u2019t include enough Hispanic adults, their responses would be weighted up.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mode&nbsp;of interview:<\/strong> Some of the earliest polls that were conducted back in the 1930s and \u201940s involved interviewers knocking on doors and asking questions of people in person. Respondents could be chosen at random based on where they lived.<br><br>Around the 1980s, most polling shifted to telephone interviews, and that was the main mode of interview for many decades. At first, people were contacted on their landline phones. Later, pollsters started to incorporate cellphones into the process.<br><br>More recently, many polls have transitioned to online interviewing. This allows people to participate in a poll on their computer, tablet or mobile device.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The questionnaire:<\/strong> A reliable poll that truly taps into people\u2019s views and experiences starts with a good questionnaire. The questions have to be simple, clear and easy for people to understand. And they have to be fair and balanced. It\u2019s a good practice to include both sides of an issue in a question. If people are only presented with one side or one argument, that may lead them to answer in a certain way.<br><br>The order in which the questions are asked also matters. A basic rule of thumb is to start with more general questions and then move to things that are more specific. For example, if we\u2019re interested in knowing whether people approve of the job the president is doing, we will ask about that early in the survey before asking about events or specific policies that could influence the way people think about that broader question.<br><br>When you\u2019re trying to figure out if a poll is reliable, check to see if the full questionnaire is available. That way you can see exactly how the questions were asked.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;can-polls-be-trusted&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"can-polls-be-trusted\">Can polls be trusted?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s not a yes or no answer to this, because the quality of polls really varies. But there are ways you can become a better consumer of polls and learn what distinguishes a good poll from a not-so-good one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s true that it\u2019s become harder to reach people and persuade them to participate in polls. And some people are more likely to participate than others. But these are issues that pollsters are aware of and working hard to overcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some things you should look for when you\u2019re trying to determine how reliable a poll is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Who conducted or sponsored the poll?<\/strong> Was it an independent research group or media organization, or was it a group that had a vested interest in the topic?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>How was the poll conducted and how were the participants selected?<\/strong> Were they chosen randomly, or did they decide on their own to participate? Random samples are usually more trustworthy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>How many people were interviewed?<\/strong> More is usually better, especially when it allows you to compare important groups (like adults younger than 30 versus those in older age groups).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Does the poll give you access to all the information that can help answer the questions above?<\/strong> Pew Research Center thinks this kind of transparency is very important.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The main thing to remember is that polls, if done well, give everyone an equal chance to make their voice heard. And that\u2019s what democracy is really all about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aligncenter has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1ae2295d wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h2 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;additional-resources&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-section-header has-h-two-font-size\" id=\"additional-resources\">Additional resources<\/h2>\n\n\n<article style=\"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-color:var(--wp--preset--color--ui-gray-light);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" class=\"left aligned wp-block-prc-block-story-item\" id=\"post-166474\" data-image-size=\"A3\"><div class=\"meta\"><span class=\"label\">report<\/span><time class=\"date\" datetime=\"2024-07-01T00:00:00+00:00\">Jul 1, 2024<\/time><\/div> \t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/course\/public-opinion-polling-basics\/\" class=\"image jetpack-lazy-image A3\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/polling-mini-course_featured.png?w=194&#038;h=110&#038;crop=1 1x, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/polling-mini-course_featured.png?w=388&#038;h=220&#038;crop=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"194\" height=\"110\">\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/polling-mini-course_featured.png?w=148&#038;h=84&#038;crop=1 1x, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/polling-mini-course_featured.png?w=296&#038;h=168&#038;crop=1 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" width=\"148\" height=\"84\">\t\t\t\t<img srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/polling-mini-course_featured.png?w=194&#038;h=110&#038;crop=1\" width=\"194\" height=\"110\" alt=\"\">\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t <h3 class=\"header small light\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/course\/public-opinion-polling-basics\/\">Public Opinion Polling Basics<\/a><\/h3> \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n<article style=\"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-color:var(--wp--preset--color--ui-gray-light);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" class=\"left aligned wp-block-prc-block-story-item\" id=\"post-9761\" data-image-size=\"A3\"><div class=\"meta\"><span class=\"label\">short read<\/span><time class=\"date\" datetime=\"2024-08-28T00:00:00+00:00\">Aug 28, 2024<\/time><\/div> \t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/08\/28\/key-things-to-know-about-us-election-polling-in-2024\/\" class=\"image jetpack-lazy-image A3\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/08\/SR_24.08.28_facts-about-polling_feature.jpg?w=194&#038;h=110&#038;crop=1 1x, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/08\/SR_24.08.28_facts-about-polling_feature.jpg?w=388&#038;h=220&#038;crop=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"194\" height=\"110\">\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/08\/SR_24.08.28_facts-about-polling_feature.jpg?w=148&#038;h=84&#038;crop=1 1x, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/08\/SR_24.08.28_facts-about-polling_feature.jpg?w=296&#038;h=168&#038;crop=1 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" width=\"148\" height=\"84\">\t\t\t\t<img srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/08\/SR_24.08.28_facts-about-polling_feature.jpg?w=194&#038;h=110&#038;crop=1\" width=\"194\" height=\"110\" alt=\"Conceptual image of an oversized voting ballot box in a large crowd of people with shallow depth of field\">\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t <h3 class=\"header small light\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/08\/28\/key-things-to-know-about-us-election-polling-in-2024\/\">Key things to know about U.S. election polling in 2024<\/a><\/h3> \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n<article style=\"border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-color:var(--wp--preset--color--ui-gray-light);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" class=\"left aligned wp-block-prc-block-story-item\" id=\"post-101048\" data-image-size=\"A3\"><div class=\"meta\"><span class=\"label\">data essay<\/span><time class=\"date\" datetime=\"2024-02-12T00:00:00+00:00\">Feb 12, 2024<\/time><\/div> \t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/methods\/2024\/02\/12\/who-are-you-the-art-and-science-of-measuring-identity\/\" class=\"image jetpack-lazy-image A3\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/02\/PM_2024.02.12_identities_featured-2.png?w=194&#038;h=110&#038;crop=1 1x, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/02\/PM_2024.02.12_identities_featured-2.png?w=388&#038;h=220&#038;crop=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"194\" height=\"110\">\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/02\/PM_2024.02.12_identities_featured-2.png?w=148&#038;h=84&#038;crop=1 1x, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/02\/PM_2024.02.12_identities_featured-2.png?w=296&#038;h=168&#038;crop=1 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" width=\"148\" height=\"84\">\t\t\t\t<img srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/02\/PM_2024.02.12_identities_featured-2.png?w=194&#038;h=110&#038;crop=1\" width=\"194\" height=\"110\" alt=\"\">\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t <h3 class=\"header small light\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/methods\/2024\/02\/12\/who-are-you-the-art-and-science-of-measuring-identity\/\">Who Are You? The Art and Science of Measuring Identity<\/a><\/h3> \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"here-are-some-short-videos-on-the-basics-of-survey-methods\">Here are some short videos on the basics of survey methods:<a id=\"_msocom_1\"><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1c7d8ac4 wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Methods 101: Random Sampling\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sonXfzE1hvo?feature=oembed&#038;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Methods 101: Question Wording\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eFzGdQrr2K8?feature=oembed&#038;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Methods 101: Mode effects\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eRK_dXay5HY?feature=oembed&#038;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Methods 101: What are nonprobability surveys?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/T9dmq6Lwh24?feature=oembed&#038;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Methods 101: How is polling done around the world?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CV0ZCQyI9M4?feature=oembed&#038;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-callout has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We would like to thank the Legislative Semester for providing advice and counsel on sharing Pew Research Center\u2019s data with high school students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recommended Citation language:<br>Pew Research Center, DECEMBER 2024, \u201cWhy public opinion matters and how to measure it\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Public opinion polling is an important way to make sure people\u2019s views and opinions are considered in national debates and 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