52% say it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns

[Cee Zee]

The topline question Pew Asked

Followup question? It was part of the poll. And it shows a decided bias. Why combine the questions at all? Do you know which question was asked first? Because asking the one I mentioned first could put people in the frame of mind to answer the one you mentioned on the side of needing more gun control. They have these systems worked out, believe me. I was taught how to do it in college. I think most people realize the polls aren't nearly as accurate about opinions as they would have us think. People know they ask loaded questions. It doesn't take a college education in journalism to know that. I'm just making the point that they taught me that I should do it and how to do it.

 

[JSH1]

Followup question? It was part of the poll. And it shows a decided bias. Why combine the questions at all? Do you know which question was asked first? Because asking the one I mentioned first could put people in the frame of mind to answer the one you mentioned on the side of needing more gun control.....

Pew doesn't call people to ask them one question. These 3 questions are part of a much larger survey (December 2014 Political Survey) that contains dozens of questions.

Pew asked 3 questions about guns in the December survey. They were questions 53,54, and 55. 54 was how strongly the person feels about their answer to question 53 so it has to come after 53. Considering the poll instructions don't say to randomize the order they were asked in the order that they are numbered. (Sometimes they do randomize the order they ask groups of question, and the survey instruction says to do so)

For question 55 the instructions say to randomize the order that the available responses are given.

Pew puts up their full questionnaire and the responses 5 months after the survey so this survey will be available for download next month. I downloaded the November post election political survey and it was 33 questions.