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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 questionPrincipalmente, 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)

ResultsThe first three communication media (2006): 1) National television news2) Non-sports newspapers 3) Radio programs

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Climate of opinion Media offer

Public opinion

Characteristics of the

electorate

The II Republic electoral campaigns

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Internet use

Themes, issues and

events

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Climate of opinion

Characteristics of the

electoratePublic opinion

Media offer Public and

media agenda

Political Tv shows

The relation beetwen news

and vote

“Winner” indicator

Tv space

The vote choice

Abstentionism Tv preferences

and vote

Electorate socio-

demographic profile

Communicatio

n media Mobilization and loyalty

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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

Purposes

• 4 goals

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Section minutes

• The sample N=100

Problems and solutions

• Social vs. political dimension

Purposes

• 4goals

Same sample: name, surname, age, gender, education, profession

Vote: YES NO

Abstentionism analysis techniques (elections 1994-1996-2001)

[Osservatorio sull’astensionismo elettorale dell’Istituto Cattaneo]

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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

Abstentionism analysis techniques (elections 1994-1996-2001)

[Osservatorio sull’astensionismo elettorale dell’Istituto Cattaneo]

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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

Abstentionism analysis techniques (elections 1994-1996-2001)

[Osservatorio sull’astensionismo elettorale dell’Istituto Cattaneo]

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Participation:Wide range of active actions and non-active participatory actions

Interest in politicsKnowledge level of some institutional figures and information level

Non-vote motivationPuò dirmi qual è il motivo per cui non è andato a votare?+ “hot” and “cold” motivations

Political efficacy4 types of electors: “alienati”, “ostili”, “acquiescenti”, “attivi”

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Limits Methodologically “poor” research

• scarcely cumulative

• scarcely explicited

(sometimes) complete methodological appendices

vs. (often)

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Thank you