How do public officials, the media, and academics discern the public's policy-relevant attitudes?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Public opinion polling through survey questions is the most common and reliable method for discerning the public's policy-relevant attitudes. It involves scientifically sampling the population and asking questions about their opinions on various policy issues. Extensive personal interviews, interactive focus groups, and direct observation may also provide valuable insights, but they are generally more time-consuming and expensive than public opinion polling.

How Do Public Officials, the Media, and Academics Discern the Public's