Public opinion

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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

[edit intro]

Public opinion refers to a population's collective attitudes and beliefs.

## Contents

* 1 Public opinion and democratic theory
* 2 Measuring public opinion
* 2.1 Scientific polls and surveys
* 2.2 Straw polls and public opinion baths
* 2.3 Focus groups

## Public opinion and democratic theory[edit]

## Measuring public opinion[edit]

Public opinion is typically measured by asking members of the public what they think.

### Scientific polls and surveys[edit]

Since the 1930s, the predominant means for discerning what the public thinks has been public opinion polls or surveys administered to a statistically representative sample of the population of interest.

### Straw polls and public opinion baths[edit]

### Focus groups[edit]

=== Deliberative polls ===