MikeG
Senior Member.
I followed up on a suggestion that Mick made back in post #54.
Towards the end of the semester, I submitted the 2013 Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey to five sections of introductory history students. I received 124 responses from a group of kids who represent a fairly general cross section of the school.
The results are attached. As noted, the first percentage comes from my conspiracy class, the second from the introductory history students, and the third from the national survey.
The results were interesting.
In some cases, specifically questions #2, 4, 12, 13, 17, and 19, the introductory students were closer to the national survey than my class.
In other cases, questions #1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, and 20, they almost split the difference between my class and the PPP respondents.
In only a few instances, was the general student population close to my conspiracy class. That was true with respect to the moon landing (Question #7), whether Barack Obama is the anti-Christ (Question #8), and mind-control technology (Question #16).
I did notice that students in the surveys indicated “not sure” more often in their answers.
There is nothing definitive here given the sample size, but I could put a few ideas forward.
It looks like students interested in taking a conspiracy class are much more vested in them than the regular student body or the public at large.
Demographics and ideology are distinct features. All the student respondents are young, which may explain why so many listed “unsure” in their answers or, conversely were more readily willing to believe in some theories.
The general student population also tended to be more male (64% versus 57%) and more politically moderate (52% versus 30%).
Additional comments and questions are definitely welcome.
Towards the end of the semester, I submitted the 2013 Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey to five sections of introductory history students. I received 124 responses from a group of kids who represent a fairly general cross section of the school.
The results are attached. As noted, the first percentage comes from my conspiracy class, the second from the introductory history students, and the third from the national survey.
The results were interesting.
In some cases, specifically questions #2, 4, 12, 13, 17, and 19, the introductory students were closer to the national survey than my class.
In other cases, questions #1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, and 20, they almost split the difference between my class and the PPP respondents.
In only a few instances, was the general student population close to my conspiracy class. That was true with respect to the moon landing (Question #7), whether Barack Obama is the anti-Christ (Question #8), and mind-control technology (Question #16).
I did notice that students in the surveys indicated “not sure” more often in their answers.
There is nothing definitive here given the sample size, but I could put a few ideas forward.
It looks like students interested in taking a conspiracy class are much more vested in them than the regular student body or the public at large.
Demographics and ideology are distinct features. All the student respondents are young, which may explain why so many listed “unsure” in their answers or, conversely were more readily willing to believe in some theories.
The general student population also tended to be more male (64% versus 57%) and more politically moderate (52% versus 30%).
Additional comments and questions are definitely welcome.