Question 2, page 29.
The concept of "political knowledge" is a very important one in the study of public opinion and political behavior, as it lies at the heart of many influential theories of why citizens hold the opinions that they do, and why they vote the way that they do. Answer the following questions:
a) Conceptually, how would you define political knowledge? Try to be as specific as possible.
b) Read part b) from page 30 of the workbook. Based on that reading, what are the strengths and weaknesses to that approach of measuring political knowledge?
c) Skim the report from ANES that pertains to these types of survey questions (linkLinks to an external site.). What were the main problems identified with the survey items? What effects did it have in measuring political knowledge?
d) Read part d) from page 30 of the workbook. Based on that reading, what are the strengths and weaknesses of that revised approach of measuring political knowledge?
e) Can you think of an alternative measurement strategy for this concept?