Publication
Title
Reporting the polls : the quality of media reporting of vote intention polls in the Netherlands
Author
Abstract
This article examines the media coverage of vote intention polls in the Netherlands. We assess whether the quality of media reporting on polls depends on the availability of information regarding the quality in pollster’s reports. Our analysis of the quality looks at three different quality measures: (1) mentioning WAPOR items, such as field dates, sampling method, and polling method, (2) mentioning the margin of error, and (3) the correct interpretation of (in)significant changes and differences. The Netherlands provides an interesting case, because there is variation over time and across pollsters in the way they report their polls as well as the increased popularity of a polling aggregator. Our findings indicate that the overall quality of Dutch coverage of polls is low. When a pollster mentions the margin of error in its report, media reports on that poll are more likely to include this information and to correctly interpret the significance of differences between two parties. This effect is particularly visible when the pollster provides uncertainty intervals in its headline figures.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Acta politica : international journal of political science. - Meppel, 1965, currens
Publication
Meppel : 2022
ISSN
0001-6810 [print]
1741-1416 [online]
DOI
10.1057/S41269-021-00208-5
Volume/pages
57 (2022) , p. 548-570
ISI
000666825700001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Law 
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier c:irua:179200
Creation 28.06.2021
Last edited 21.11.2024
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