Question

which of the following elements do pollsters have to consider before conducting a poll that will forecast the election?

correct answer(s)

wording of survey questions
ensuring that respondents make socially desirable answers
ability to randomly select respondents
a large sample

Explanation:

Analyze the requirements for scientific polling

To conduct a reliable poll that accurately forecasts an election, pollsters must ensure scientific validity. This requires:

• Wording of survey questions: Questions must be clear, neutral, and unbiased to avoid leading respondents.
• Ability to randomly select respondents: Random sampling ensures every individual in the population has an equal chance of selection, which is essential for a representative sample.
• A large sample: A sufficiently large sample size reduces the margin of error and increases statistical confidence.

Evaluate incorrect polling practices

• Ensuring that respondents make socially desirable answers: This describes "social desirability bias" (where respondents hide their true opinions to avoid judgment). Pollsters try to minimize or account for this bias, not encourage or ensure it.

Answer:

• wording of survey questions (Correct answer)
• ability to randomly select respondents (Correct answer)
• a large sample (Correct answer)
• ensuring that respondents make socially desirable answers