Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from Jan. 2 through Jan. 9 using a randomly selected sample of 800 registered voters statewide aged 18 and over.  The sampling error for 800 adults is +/- 3.5 percentage points at the 95 percent level of confidence.  Survey results are also subject to non-sampling error. This kind of error, which cannot be measured, arises from a number of factors including, but not limited to, non-response (eligible individuals refusing to be interviewed), question wording, the order in which questions are asked, and variations among interviewers. PublicMind interviews are conducted by TMR, Inc. of Parsippany, NJ.  Professionally trained interviewers use a CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) System. Random selection is achieved by computerized random-digit dialing. This technique gives every person with a phone number (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected. Registered voters are screened through a series of questions. Results are mathematically weighted to match known demographics.

The wording and order of the questions included in this release are as follows:

Question: Now, turning to New Jersey… In your opinion, do you think things in New Jersey are moving in the right direction or do you think the state has gotten off on the wrong track?

Question:  Have you heard of [rotate list]? If you haven't just tell me. [If yes, ask:] Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of …? Would that be very or somewhat?

Question: How would you rate the job Richard Codey is doing as governor—excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

Question: Do you think that Richard Codey has done a good enough job as governor to deserve reelection or would you rather see a new person in that job?

Question: NJ5a At this early point, would you rather see… or… win the Democratic nomination for Governor in June?


see also:
Survey Analysis
Thigpen's Analysis
Salmore's Analysis
Tabular Results
Copyright © 2005, Fairleigh Dickinson University. All rights reserved. FDU PublicMind Poll [Latest update 050110]