POL242 LAB MANUAL: EXERCISE 11

Report Writing and Analysis 

PURPOSE

 

INSTRUCTIONS   

 

QUESTIONS

The Public Opinion Quarterly, Vol. 41, No. 3. (Autumn, 1977), pp. 347-355.
Canadian Attitudes Towards Quebec Independence
by Lawrence LeDuc

  1. Read the first three pages of this article. What is the main point of this article? DISCUSS: Does the author makes his point succinctly and clearly? Can you tell what hypotheses he is seeking to test? If not, what would you do to improve on his article?
  2. Does the article present and explain Tables 1 and 2 well in the text? Why or why not?
  3. Analyze Table 1 Percentage of National Samples Favouring Independence for Quebec 1968 and 1974 on page 2 of the article.  DISCUSS: Did you find that the author provided a clear presentation of the data? Why or why not?
  4. DISCUSS: In general, did you find that the author provided a clear presentation of the results? Why or why not?

Gallup: March 9, 2004
Kerry Maintains Small Lead, Bush Approval at 49%
by David W. Moore
http://www.gallup.com/content/default.asp?ci=10942

Recall that a Confidence Interval is "The range around a survey result for which there is a high statistical probability that it contains the true population parameter" and Confidence Levels are "The probability that a particular confidence interval will include the true population value." (DazNetwork)

  1. DISCUSS: Who do you think the intended audience is of this article? How does the writing compare to the Public Opinion Quarterly article above?
  2. Compare the graphical/tabular display of the data in this article to the previous one. Which method of presentation is best?
  3. There are three groups of people studied: registered voters, likely voters and the total sample of adults. For which group are we most confident in the survey's findings? Why?
  4. How does Gallup explain the volatility in the poll results of the likely voters as compared to the registered voters? Do you agree with their explanation?
  5. DISCUSS: How would you devise a study to test your (or their) hypothesis?

 

CBC: February 17th, 2004
Poll Shows Scandal Eroding Liberal Support
http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/CBC/2004/02/17/liberal_poll040217

  1. Compare the confidence levels cited in this article with those in the previous one. Which method is a better representation of confidence levels? Consider what you think the advantages are to using one method over the other.
  2. DISCUSS: Is this article geared towards the same audience as the Moore article from the Gallup website? What differences in reporting the data are used in order to attend to the target audience? Which article do you find more informative?
  3. Why do you think Conservative Party support has increased as a result of the sponsorship scandal while the NDP support has remained stable? What additional survey questions would you need to test your explanation?

    Pollara Group: February 09, 2004
    Canadian Attitudes toward President George W. Bush
    Jonathon Gatehouse
    http://www.pollara.com/new/LIBRARY/SURVEYS/bushnowayeh.htm

    1. According to the article, can the differing perspective of Canadians and Americans towards Bush by explained by Canadians' more leftist leanings?
    2. Does the data support David Frum's contention that the differences in American and Canadian perceptions of Bush are much less dramatic than they are usually made out to be? If not, what data would you need to prove or disprove Frum's claim?
    3. In the article the author makes the claim that, "The intense sympathy Canadians felt following the attacks of 9/11 -- something that manifested itself not just in acts of mourning and charity, but in a willingness to support whatever actions the U.S. deemed necessary -- has dissipated. In its place is a deep dislike of the bellicose new global reality, and a lingering distrust of Bush's motives."
      1. In your opinion, does the author provide sufficient evidence to substantiate this claim?Why or why not?
      2. If you were to investigate this claim what survey questions would you use?
    4. Construct an arrow diagram using Canadian support for Bush as the dependent variable. Use the independent variables you find most important in determining Canadian support for Bush and indicate their relationships with the dependent variable (negative or positive).  


    Support for NAFTA: Regression Results
    NAFTA Table
    In this table, the original authors used a "standard" method of presenting regression results. The regression coefficients are presented above the standard errors (in parentheses). If the variable is significant, the coefficient receives a '*'. The dependent variable contains four discrete outcomes: strongly support, support, oppose, strongly oppose.

    1. How many regressions are presented on this table?
    2. Do Canadians who are concerned about losing their jobs favor or oppose NAFTA? What about Mexicans?
    3. Do people's wealth make a difference to their attitudes towards NAFTA?
    4. Compare the attitudes towards NAFTA of Canadians who respect authority and Americans with similar attitudes. Does the variable have the same effect on feelings towards NAFTA?
    5. Which model explains the most overall variance? How can you tell?
    6. Farm workers and union members are both dummy variables. How would you interpret these results? Write down your interpretation.
    7. Assume that feelings towards immigrants are measured using a 10 point feeling thermometer scale. How would you interpret these results? Write down your interpretation.
    8. DISCUSS: What revisions would you make to this table if you were to turn it into a table that you would turn in?
    9. DISCUSS: What revisions would you make to this table if you were to display it during a presentation?

     

    Credits: Researched, analyzed and expertly written in HTML by Anna Saini. Final version by Renan Levine. All errors, omissions and typos are completely the fault of the Michael Szala and/or Sebastian Dellaire.