Commentary : A Qualitative Analysis of Newspaper Polls

Abstract

Previous research and this study's data suggest newspaper polls often fall short of “scientific” standards. Part of the problem is that many newspapers rely heavily on their news staff for many key aspects in the research process, including data analysis. News organizations are encouraged to rely more on “experts,” but for the long run they need to implement programs and policies that give journalists themselves the education and training necessary to handle all phases of the research process.