Political Science Faculty Publications

Experimenting with a ‘Third Way" in Political Knowledge Estimation

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Political knowledge is a key variable in the study of political behavior known to predict political discussion, voter turnout, issue-based voting,and support for democratic norms. Yet the appropriate method of measuring political knowledge is the subject of controversy. The traditional technique, which encourages survey respondents to say “don't know” (DK) if they are uncertain of the correct answer, has been called into question. Recent work has suggested that the DK response should be discouraged. We argue that a better design eliminates the DK optionaltogether. A web survey is employed utilizing an experimental design. Three different strategies for measuring political knowledge are tested: the first encourages the DK response; the second discourages the DK response; and the third omits the DK option. In its absence, nonrandom psychological factors are eliminated and estimates of political knowledge are higher in comparison to the other two strategies. Implications for measurement, methodology, and survey administration are discussed.

Publisher's Statement

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Public Opinion Quarterly following peer review. The version of record Melissa Miller and Shannon Orr “Experimenting with a ‘Third Way’ in Political Knowledge Estimation” Public Opinion Quarterly 72(4): pp. 768-780 is available online at: http://poq.oxfordjournals.org/content/72/4/768.abstract?sid=03b2e59d-f62a-4e29-aeff-add278535eca

Publication Date

2008

Publication Title

Public Opinion Quarterly

Publisher

Oxford Journals

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1093/poq/nfn057

Start Page No.

768

End Page No.

780

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS