ABSTRACT
Political research is the scientific search for those aspects of campaign reality that can help concretely in making both immediate decisions and longer-range policy, using objective data that are amenable to detailed, precise analysis and evaluation. There are four basic types of political research: polling or probability sample surveys, voting behavior analysis, supporting demographic analysis, and issue or policy studies. Polls— more properly referred to as probability sample surveys— are the best-known basic type of research work required in political campaigns. Voting behavior analysis consists of recording the results of previous elections by the smallest geographic units available (usually election districts, which are also called wards or precincts in various parts of the country). Supporting demographic analysis consists of recording decennial US census data and then mapping the census tract data. Issue or policy studies are written to aid a candidate and his staff in developing explicit positions on matters of interest to the electorate.
