Alumni All Access Live: Polliteracy! with Hunter Bacot

Polliteracy!

Talk Description: Here in the United States, people are constantly bombarded with the phrase, “here are the results from our latest poll…” or “according to _____ poll, this percent of Americans believe that . . .”  As citizens who are expected to cast an informed vote, just what are we to make of this flood of information?  Are polls accurate? Should we believe the numbers being reported? What are the differences, if any, in a political poll, a public opinion survey, and a public opinion poll?  How do we evaluate all of these polls and the information presented? In our democratic republic, it is imperative for citizens to understand the information being presented to them. Since survey research is used to inform decision making, the information conveyed is of consequence for decision makers across our society, throughout businesses, and at all levels of government. Because of this, understanding how the sausage of public opinion surveys is made can go a long way in assessing the information derived from survey research.

About Hunter Bacot: Hunter Bacot is the Graduate Program Director and Professor of Political Science.  He teaches courses in Public Administration, Public Policy, and State & Local Government. His research interests are in state & local government and public policy (environmental policy). He has researched and published in disciplinary journals about civic development in local governments, airport authorities, local government waste management programs, brownfield redevelopment, and state-level environmental policy. Throughout his career, Hunter has worked and consulted with municipal and county governments, as well as served on local government boards and commissions. With his expertise in survey research, Hunter has also served as a survey consultant for statewide organizations and civic groups, as well as for the U.S. Department of Justice and N.C. District Attorneys. Hunter currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Public and Nonprofit Affairs.