Gallup Poll

Frank Newport is editor-in-chief of the Gallup Poll. He is the author of Polling Matters: Why Leaders Must Listen to the Wisdom of the People and co-author of The Evangelical Voter.

A complete compilation of the more than 500 polls taken by the Gallup Organization in calendar year 2012, this work continues the Gallup tradition of reporting Americans’ views on the economy, their personal finances, and politics. Introductory material—about the Gallup organization, an explanation of Gallup sampling methodology, a description of economic measures used in the volume, and an extensive 2012 chronology—precede the poll results, which are listed in chronological order rather than topically. They contain interview questions, survey dates, charts, graphs, and an analysis of each survey’s findings. Most have a section on the survey’s implications and an explanation of methods used to accumulate data. One feature that users of earlier volumes will miss is a table showing Gallup’s accuracy in presidential elections back to 1936. Despite that omission, the organization’s polling material continues to be informative and valuable for readers and researchers at all levels, especially those with an interest in politics and economics. Although these same patrons may also want to access the Gallup website and the Gallup Brain subscription service, they will discover a wealth of information in this edition. VERDICT This book confirms that a respected name in polling continues to produce interesting, pertinent, and timely reports in an effective presentation. Recommended.