In a unique approach to hands-on learning, students from a highly selective honors program have taken charge of an ambitious political research project. Guided by Jennifer Lawless, the Leone Reaves and George W. Spicer Professor of Politics, and her colleague, the students are exploring the intricate process of conducting an exit poll on Election Day.
From Concept to Execution
Under the mentorship of Professor Lawless, the students embarked on a journey starting from selecting a broad topic of interest to formulating a hypothesis and creating detailed questions for Election Day polling. Lawless, who teaches the American Politics seminar, remarked, “They had to identify the broad topic they were interested in, operationalize a hypothesis, and draft actual questions to field on Election Day.”
The hands-on experience extended beyond the classroom, as the students were actively involved in logistical preparations. They printed thousands of surveys, assembled survey packets and clipboards, and trained 130 exit pollsters on how to effectively engage with voters on Election Day.
Data Analysis and Academic Excellence
Following data collection, students will interpret the results and prepare a comprehensive written report, culminating in a class presentation. This exercise is part of a rigorous honors program which admits only about six students annually from a competitive pool of 300 politics majors.
One participant, Hovsep Seferian, whose research is highlighted in the exit poll, describes the program as a profound learning opportunity. “The program was appealing to me because it forces its participants to go beyond memorizing names and dates. It requires us to engage with political research on an academic level that expands our ability to engage with qualitative and quantitative arguments,” Seferian explained.
Passion for Politics
Students in the program, like Kessler Kreutner-Eady, express a deep passion for political studies. Kreutner-Eady recalls her early interest in politics, once noting a resemblance between a church member and Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and U.S. senator from Utah.
She shared her enthusiasm for the program, “To be able to take a majority of my classes and credits in the discipline that I love the most has been fantastic, in addition to the small class size and close relationships we are able to build with the faculty.” Kreutner-Eady hopes to enhance her understanding of political disciplines and their implications for the United States.
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