Background Memo and Tables

see also:
Survey Analysis
Tabular Results

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from April 3 through April 10 using a randomly selected statewide sample of 802 registered voters aged 18 and over. The sampling error for 802 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:

How worried are you that you or someone in your family will become a victim of terrorism…?

  • Very
  • worried
  • Somewhat worried
  • Not too worried
  • Not at all
  • worried
  • Don't know

"Do you think the federal government is doing everything it can to prevent terrorist activity in NEW JERSEY or is it not?"

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know/ref.

"Do you think the state government is doing everything it can to prevent terrorist activity in NEW JERSEY or is it not?"

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know/ref.

Have you or members of your family made any emergency plans, such as stocking up on food and water or mapping an escape route, in case a terrorist attack were to take place in your area?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Unsure