Data and techniques of
analysis in the study of
the Second Republic
electoral campaigns
(1994-2008)
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An example:
frequency in the use
of the main communication media
[Cristadoro, 2007]
The question
Principalmente, lei da dove ha ricevuto le sue informazioni sulla politica?
Methods
• Two-waves survey addressed to a national panel (quantitative analysis)
• Focus groups and in-depth interviews (qualitative analysis)
Results
The first three communication media (2006):
1) National television news
2) Non-sports newspapers
3) Radio programs
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The II Republic electoral campaigns
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Climate of
opinion
“Winner”
indicator
Public and
media agenda
The relation
beetwen news
and vote
Mobilization
and loyalty
Abstentionism
Public opinion
Political Tv
shows
Themes, issues
and events
Media offer
Tv space
Communication
media
The vote choice
Internet use
Electorate sociodemographic
profile
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Tv preferences
and vote
Characteristics
of the electorate
4
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Abstentionism
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Abstentionism analysis techniques
(elections 1994-1996-2001)
[Osservatorio sull’astensionismo elettorale dell’Istituto Cattaneo]
Section
minutes
• The sample
N=100
Problems and
solutions
• Social vs.
political
dimension
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Purposes
• 4 goals
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Abstentionism analysis techniques
(elections 1994-1996-2001)
[Osservatorio sull’astensionismo elettorale dell’Istituto Cattaneo]
Section
minutes
• The sample
N=100
Problems and
solutions
Purposes
• Social vs.
political
dimension
• 4goals
Same sample: name, surname, age, gender, education, profession
Vote:
YES
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NO
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Abstentionism analysis techniques
(elections 1994-1996-2001)
[Osservatorio sull’astensionismo elettorale dell’Istituto Cattaneo]
Section
minutes
• The sample
N=100
Problems and
solutions
• Social vs.
political
dimension
Purposes
• 4 goals
• Problems: reluctance in declaring the non vote
difficulties in contacting people due to their social marginality
• Solutions: sample of voters N=542 non voters N=520
Same gender, age, residence area, town dimension
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Abstentionism analysis techniques
(elections 1994-1996-2001)
[Osservatorio sull’astensionismo elettorale dell’Istituto Cattaneo]
Section
minutes
• The sample
N=100
Problems and
solutions
• Social vs.
political
dimension
Purposes
• 4 goals
• Participation
• Interest in politics
• Non-vote motivation
• Political efficacy
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Participation:
Wide range of active actions and non-active participatory actions
Interest in politics
Knowledge level of some institutional figures
and information level
Non-vote motivation
Può dirmi qual è il motivo per cui non è andato a votare?
+ “hot” and “cold” motivations
Political efficacy
4 types of electors: “alienati”, “ostili”, “acquiescenti”, “attivi”
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(sometimes) complete methodological appendices
vs. (often)
Limits
Methodologically “poor” research
• scarcely cumulative
• scarcely explicited
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Thank you
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