306.700.11 PUBLIC OPINION POLLING AND HEALTH POLICY

Introduces students to public opinion polling, which has become a critical tool in political campaigns and elections, public policy decision making, and news media reporting. Develops the skills required to design, field, interpret and use public opinion surveys. Reviews the relevant theory on public opinion formation, and discusses how public opinion research is used in setting public agendas and framing policy issues. In addition, reviews evidence on how and under what circumstances public opinion influences health policy outcomes. Provides hands-on experience designing sample public opinion survey instruments in a small group classroom environment, critically evaluating the quality of existing international opinion polls, and reviewing key methodological issues in interpreting survey results.