American Association for Public Opinion Research

Definition

The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) is a professional organization dedicated to the study and practice of public opinion research. It provides resources, guidelines, and a platform for researchers to share knowledge about the methods and ethical considerations involved in conducting surveys, especially in the context of telephone and online surveys.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. AAPOR was founded in 1947 and has since played a crucial role in setting standards for public opinion research.
2. The organization emphasizes transparency and ethical practices in research, particularly concerning participant privacy and data integrity.
3. AAPOR publishes a peer-reviewed journal called 'Public Opinion Quarterly' which shares significant research findings in the field.
4. The association also hosts an annual conference where professionals can network and discuss advances in survey research techniques.
5. AAPOR provides guidelines for best practices in survey research, particularly important as more surveys shift online and require careful consideration of methodology.

Review Questions

• How does AAPOR influence the methods used in telephone and online surveys?
  • AAPOR influences telephone and online surveys by providing guidelines that ensure best practices are followed. These guidelines cover aspects such as question wording, sampling techniques, and ethical standards to enhance the reliability and validity of survey results. By establishing these standards, AAPOR helps researchers design surveys that yield accurate public opinion data.
• Discuss the importance of ethical considerations in public opinion research as emphasized by AAPOR.
  • Ethical considerations are paramount in public opinion research as emphasized by AAPOR. The organization stresses the importance of obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring confidentiality, and accurately reporting findings without bias. These ethical standards are crucial to maintaining public trust and ensuring that survey results are credible and representative of the population.
• Evaluate how AAPOR's guidelines on response rates could impact the validity of telephone and online surveys.
  • Evaluating AAPOR's guidelines on response rates reveals their significant impact on the validity of telephone and online surveys. Low response rates can lead to nonresponse bias, where certain groups are underrepresented or overrepresented in survey results. By emphasizing strategies to improve response rates, such as personalized outreach or incentives for participation, AAPOR helps researchers obtain more representative samples, ultimately enhancing the validity and reliability of their findings.

Related terms

Survey Methodology: The study of how to conduct surveys effectively, including the design, sampling, data collection, and analysis processes.

Response Rate: The percentage of people who respond to a survey out of those who were approached or selected to participate.

Sampling Error: The error that arises from observing a sample instead of the whole population, which can affect the accuracy of survey results.