2012
Blue Hen Poll
Public Release
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
The Blue Hen Poll
• Annual Scientific Survey
• Applied research, quantitative
literacy, and communication skills
• “For Students, By Students”
• The Blue Hen Poll is a “Tool”
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
2
BLUE HEN POLL METHODOLOGY
Andrew Hellwege
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
4
Methodology
• Public opinion of full-time undergraduates at Newark
campus
• Sample of 5,000 students
– Census of racial minority students
– Random sample of white and international students
• Weighted data to ensure representativeness of results
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
Methodology
• Web survey
– Inexpensive and convenient
• Survey conducted between March 11 – April 9
– Reminder emails sent out
• Response rate: 32%
– Approximately double average response rate of
surveys at UD
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
Students and Politics
• Political Engagement for Students
• What will students do?
• 2012 Presidential Election
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
111
Interest in Politics Among Students
Are Students interested in Politics?
Not very or Not at all
Interested in Politics
38%
Very or Somewhat
Interested in Politics
62%
0%
20%
40%
60%
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
80%
100%
112
Fall Plans in Politics
Percentage of students saying they will
participate in these activities
100%
92%
86%
2008
80%
2012
60%
40%
32%
29%
20%
11%
17%
24%
15%
0%
Intend to vote in
2012 Pres. Election
Wear button, hat,
t-shirt, sticker?
Attend a
poltical event
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
Attend a
Poltical
Group meeting
113
Partisanship Among Students
2008
2012
6%
5%
20%
Dem.
Rep.
53%
Ind.
41%
29%
Other
22%
24%
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
114
Measuring Overall Political Participation
100%
Percentage of students saying how much they will participate in the five
questions we asked on political participation
Percent
80%
60%
40%
16%
20%
5%
4%
-5
(Weak)
-4
11%
16%
9%
14%
9%
8%
2
3
2%
6%
4
5
(Strong)
0%
-3
-2
-1
0
1
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
115
Average Level of Participation
Political Participation Index by Party ID
1.4
0.9
0.4
Republican
-0.1
-0.6
-1.1
0.07
Independent
Other
Democrat
-0.47
-0.97
-1.30
-1.6
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
116
Percent
Presidential Poll
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Students First Choice in the 2012 Presidential Election
61%
10%
2%
Obama
13%
9%
1%
Romney Santorum
Paul
1%
1%
Gingrich Another No choice Unsure
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
117
Welcome and Thanks
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
1
www.udel.edu/bluehenpoll
118