A National Assessment of Economic Knowledge and Public Opinion on Economic Issues [electronic resource] / William B. Walstad.
Data from a national survey of American economic literacy were used to investigate the relationship between economic knowledge and public opinion on economic issues. The telephone survey data were collected by the Gallup Organization from a sample of 1,005 members of the general public in March 1992...
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| Format: | Electronic eBook |
| Language: | English |
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[S.l.] :
Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse,
1993.
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| Summary: | Data from a national survey of American economic literacy were used to investigate the relationship between economic knowledge and public opinion on economic issues. The telephone survey data were collected by the Gallup Organization from a sample of 1,005 members of the general public in March 1992. The instrument contained about 46 questions assessing economic knowledge, asking for opinions on economic issues, and seeking information on background characteristics. The American public showed significant deficiencies in their knowledge and awareness of basic economics, correctly answering only 39% of knowledge questions. Nevertheless, respondents had strong opinions about economic issues. Economic illiteracy has the potential to misshape public opinion on economic issues and lead to policies that have negative or perverse effects on the economy and economic institutions. When survey results give only overall responses to a question, the findings may mask the most likely significant differences between informed and uninformed opinions. Economic knowledge may be the most crucial factor determining public opinion. Eight tables present study findings. (Contains 7 references.) (SLD) |
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| Item Description: | ERIC Document Number: ED377242. ERIC Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Evaluation Association (Dallas, TX, November 4, 1993). |
| Physical Description: | 30 p. |