Public Opinion Research in Practice

Undergraduate / Graduate

This seminar provides an introduction to the evolving landscape of public opinion research in the digital age. It combines foundational theories and methods with an emphasis on how computational techniques have transformed the field. The goal is to equip students with a robust understanding of public opinion research, along with practical skills in data gathering, analysis, and interpretation, and insight into recent developments in data collection methodologies. We will focus on experimental methods, especially survey experiments, and on utilizing social media as a source of data and as a medium for recruiting respondents. Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to produce an original public opinion research project, applying the techniques and methods discussed.