Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from September 14 through September 19 using a randomly selected statewide sample of 651 registered voters aged 18 and over.  The sampling error for 651 respondents is +/- 4 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 of the questions included in this release are as follows:

Question: Now, turning to Delaware… In your opinion, do you think things in Delaware are moving in the right direction or have they 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?

• Ruth Ann Minner
• Joe Biden
• Tom Carper
• Mike Castle

Question: And turning back to Delaware… Do you approve or disapprove of the job Ruth Ann Minner is doing as governor? Would that be somewhat or strongly?

see also:
Survey Analysis
Tabular Results