Finds that, although call-in poll participants are generally similar in socio-demographics to the population as a whole, they are more opinionated than are telephone survey respondents. Confirms that call-in polls and surveys of the population do not necessarily produce similar information concerning public opinion. (SR)

Identifies the noncontact rate and refusals rate for a survey conducted by an electronic telephone survey device. Finds the noncontact rate for the electronic survey similar to other telephone surveys. Finds that rejection of a computer-administered telephone survey has an effect on the refusal rate. (RS)

Surveys personal computer (PC) ownership and traditional media use habits. Finds that PC owners were more affluent than non-PC owners and read the local morning paper more, but the two groups differed little in television news viewed. Concludes that PC ownership did not lead to radical changes in use of traditional news media. (SR)

Studies the relationships between exposure and attention to three different media (newspapers, television news, and radio news). Finds that the two are separate dimensions. Analyzes the relationships between media exposure/attention and four different possible effects (knowledge gain, opinion direction, opinion strength, and behavior). (SR)

Compares television phone-in polls to random sample polling. Finds significant differences between the two types of opinion indicators. Shows that persons with strongly held opinions and a pro-change, activist stance are more likely to respond in phone-in polls. (SR)

Examines willingness to discuss the issue of abortion. Finds that persons whose opinions are congruent with those of the national majority are more willing to speak to a stranger than are those whose opinions are shared only by a minority. Finds that involvement and knowledge directly influence opinion expression, whereas education and gender…

Examines the electronic polling process (telephone polling that uses synthesized or digitized voice). Compares the process with two similar telephone polls and provides a basic cost efficiency comparison between the polls. Finds that digitized systems place more calls but get lower response rates than regular phone surveys. (MM)

Examines the associations between media use and knowledge of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Explores how media consumption is related to attitudes toward AIDS and policy issues pertaining to AIDS. Finds newspaper users better informed than television viewers. Finds television news users more likely to be misinformed than frequent…