Methods and measures used in gauging community sentiment

Abstract

Building on Chap. 2, this chapter establishes the nexus between community sentiment and the law and details the various ways in which community sentiment impacts law and policy. The general paradigms (e.g., analyses of jury decisions data and public opinion polls) used to capture community sentiment are then outlined and critiqued. Because impressions of community sentiment impact law and policy decisions, it is important that the samples drawn are representative of a community and the tools used to measure it are valid. Thus, this chapter highlights some of the complexities of accurately capturing community sentiment and provides a review of some sampling and measurement concerns in gauging community sentiment. Finally, recommendations are made to help avoid common measurement pitfalls.