Revision history for PCTQuestionWriting
Additions:
1. After researching the major issues either nationally or on a statewide basis, begin to compile all potential issues and questions in a [[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15Vsy8083KUnrZgxhRmpqI6NBquq7sjMVha75K3yJFGQ/edit#gid=0 shared spreadsheet]], along with all citations and evidence that backup your questions.
2. Meet with the other PCT creation team members (generally, this group is the Elections Director and the 1-2 associates tasked with administering the PCT throughout the election cycle) to begin weeding through the initial questions that you know won't make the cut and determine a few questions that you will want to keep no matter what.
3. Start a [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yF6BcxBLG4chjBx75lh7P4bZCS5bmbpkOMEmAkv_TRU/edit shared document]] where you can begin playing with and formatting wording for each question, while providing an argument for each question's importance and the evidence you gathered to back the question up.
- Always make sure that the issues and questions that you are thinking about adding illicit a yes or no answer, and cannot be interpreted as an open ended question with any other possible answer.
- Check past PCTs to see if any of the questions you are thinking of adding have been used in the past. That way if there is a question available that fits the issue at hand you already have previously approved question wording.
- If you are working on state specific tests and have two or more states with very similar issues, apply the same question wording to that issue in each state. This way you have nationwide cohesiveness and less question wordings to get approved.
- Meet frequently with other PCT creation team members to keep checking each other's progress and work.
2. Meet with the other PCT creation team members (generally, this group is the Elections Director and the 1-2 associates tasked with administering the PCT throughout the election cycle) to begin weeding through the initial questions that you know won't make the cut and determine a few questions that you will want to keep no matter what.
3. Start a [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yF6BcxBLG4chjBx75lh7P4bZCS5bmbpkOMEmAkv_TRU/edit shared document]] where you can begin playing with and formatting wording for each question, while providing an argument for each question's importance and the evidence you gathered to back the question up.
- Always make sure that the issues and questions that you are thinking about adding illicit a yes or no answer, and cannot be interpreted as an open ended question with any other possible answer.
- Check past PCTs to see if any of the questions you are thinking of adding have been used in the past. That way if there is a question available that fits the issue at hand you already have previously approved question wording.
- If you are working on state specific tests and have two or more states with very similar issues, apply the same question wording to that issue in each state. This way you have nationwide cohesiveness and less question wordings to get approved.
- Meet frequently with other PCT creation team members to keep checking each other's progress and work.
Deletions:
2. Meet with the other PCT creation team members to begin weeding through the initial questions that you know won't make the cut and determine a few questions that you will want to keep no matter what.
3. Start a shared document where you can begin playing with and formatting wording for each question, while providing an argument for each questions importance and the evidence you gathered to back the question up.
- Always make sure that the issues and questions that you are thinking about adding illicit a yes or no answer, and cannot be interpreted as an open ended question with any other possible answer.
- Check past PCTs to see if any of the questions you are thinking of adding have been used in the past. That way if there is a question available that fits the issue at hand you already have previously approved question wording.
- If you are working on state specific tests and have two or more states with very similar issues, apply the same question wording to that issue in each state. This way you have a nationwide cohesiveness and less question wordings to get approved.
- Meet frequently with other PCT creation team members to keep checking each others progress and work.
**Issue Area Reports**
In order to construct specific questions, researchers will investigate the issue areas broadly, incorporating national and local polls, the majority, minority, and third party platforms, State of the Union and Response speeches, legislative agenda and media coverage. Researching the issue areas broadly will allow for the specific issues (on which questions will be based), to shine through.
The Issue Area Report should provide an overview of the issue's context and controversy, explain the central questions surrounding that issue, and provide detailed descriptions of the possible issue positions. The following outline should be used as a guide for researchers in developing the issue area reports:
Issue Area Report Outline
A. Context and Controversy
I.Why is the issue important? Is it a matter of principle that is always at play in elections or is it a matter of policy that is particularly salient this election cycle? Does polling data suggest that it is of particular significance?
II.Contextualize the issue. What is the background of the issue?
III.What is the current controversy?
IV.What is the popular reaction to this controversy? Consider media sources, polling data, and legislative action (proposed bills, commissions, task forces)
B. The Central Question
I.What is the central question emerging from this issue? What is the most effective way to frame the question? Are there multiple questions at the center of this issue?
II.What are the response options? Yes/No? Identify and provide substantiated descriptions of each side of the issue.
C. Auxiliary Questions
I.What are the other topics associated with this issue? Are there multiple matters of principle at stake? Are there policy specific issues that warrant their own questions?
II.List the potential questions that have emerged from this issue area research report and provide substantiated descriptions of each side of the issue.
Issue Details
Issue details are central to aiding the publics understanding of major issues. The issue details provide a succinct overview of the issue (approximately 1-3 sentences). The issue details should also clearly define the positions (what does a 'yes' or a 'no' response mean?). These will be available on the website as well as on VoteEasy. The issue details also provide the foundation for candidate research, as the issue details will serve to determine how Project Vote Smart infers determinations for candidates refusing to respond to the Political Courage Test.
Additions:
**Issue Area Reports**
In order to construct specific questions, researchers will investigate the issue areas broadly, incorporating national and local polls, the majority, minority, and third party platforms, State of the Union and Response speeches, legislative agenda and media coverage. Researching the issue areas broadly will allow for the specific issues (on which questions will be based), to shine through.
The Issue Area Report should provide an overview of the issue's context and controversy, explain the central questions surrounding that issue, and provide detailed descriptions of the possible issue positions. The following outline should be used as a guide for researchers in developing the issue area reports:
Issue Area Report Outline
A. Context and Controversy
I.Why is the issue important? Is it a matter of principle that is always at play in elections or is it a matter of policy that is particularly salient this election cycle? Does polling data suggest that it is of particular significance?
II.Contextualize the issue. What is the background of the issue?
III.What is the current controversy?
IV.What is the popular reaction to this controversy? Consider media sources, polling data, and legislative action (proposed bills, commissions, task forces)
B. The Central Question
I.What is the central question emerging from this issue? What is the most effective way to frame the question? Are there multiple questions at the center of this issue?
II.What are the response options? Yes/No? Identify and provide substantiated descriptions of each side of the issue.
C. Auxiliary Questions
I.What are the other topics associated with this issue? Are there multiple matters of principle at stake? Are there policy specific issues that warrant their own questions?
II.List the potential questions that have emerged from this issue area research report and provide substantiated descriptions of each side of the issue.
Issue Details
Issue details are central to aiding the publics understanding of major issues. The issue details provide a succinct overview of the issue (approximately 1-3 sentences). The issue details should also clearly define the positions (what does a 'yes' or a 'no' response mean?). These will be available on the website as well as on VoteEasy. The issue details also provide the foundation for candidate research, as the issue details will serve to determine how Project Vote Smart infers determinations for candidates refusing to respond to the Political Courage Test.
In order to construct specific questions, researchers will investigate the issue areas broadly, incorporating national and local polls, the majority, minority, and third party platforms, State of the Union and Response speeches, legislative agenda and media coverage. Researching the issue areas broadly will allow for the specific issues (on which questions will be based), to shine through.
The Issue Area Report should provide an overview of the issue's context and controversy, explain the central questions surrounding that issue, and provide detailed descriptions of the possible issue positions. The following outline should be used as a guide for researchers in developing the issue area reports:
Issue Area Report Outline
A. Context and Controversy
I.Why is the issue important? Is it a matter of principle that is always at play in elections or is it a matter of policy that is particularly salient this election cycle? Does polling data suggest that it is of particular significance?
II.Contextualize the issue. What is the background of the issue?
III.What is the current controversy?
IV.What is the popular reaction to this controversy? Consider media sources, polling data, and legislative action (proposed bills, commissions, task forces)
B. The Central Question
I.What is the central question emerging from this issue? What is the most effective way to frame the question? Are there multiple questions at the center of this issue?
II.What are the response options? Yes/No? Identify and provide substantiated descriptions of each side of the issue.
C. Auxiliary Questions
I.What are the other topics associated with this issue? Are there multiple matters of principle at stake? Are there policy specific issues that warrant their own questions?
II.List the potential questions that have emerged from this issue area research report and provide substantiated descriptions of each side of the issue.
Issue Details
Issue details are central to aiding the publics understanding of major issues. The issue details provide a succinct overview of the issue (approximately 1-3 sentences). The issue details should also clearly define the positions (what does a 'yes' or a 'no' response mean?). These will be available on the website as well as on VoteEasy. The issue details also provide the foundation for candidate research, as the issue details will serve to determine how Project Vote Smart infers determinations for candidates refusing to respond to the Political Courage Test.
