2007-09-23-皮尤-Political_Knowledge_Update_8页_47kb

Pew News Knowledge Survey 2007 Summary

Report Date: September 24, 2007
Based on the Pew Research Center's telephone interviews with 1,005 adults, this survey assesses American knowledge of political and international news. Key findings highlight variations in awareness across topics, demographics, and trends over time.

Average Knowledge Level

• Overall average correct answers: 7 out of 12 multiple-choice questions.
• 26% scored 10 or more correct with minimal errors.
• 15% performed poorly, answering only three or fewer correctly.

Top Areas of Knowledge

• High awareness: Source of tainted food/toys (88% knew China), House majority (77% knew Democrats), Speaker Pelosi (74% correct), Putin's role (71% identified him as Russian President), and Sunni/Islamic split in Iraq (67% knew).
• Lower scores: Robert Gates' position (41% correct), number of US troops killed in Iraq (54% knew), Dow Jones Industrial Average level (41%), and Mitt Romney's religion (54%).

Demographic Differences

• Education: College graduates scored higher (average 8.2/12) compared to those with less education (5.5/12).
• Age: Older respondents (65+) performed best (7.6/12), while younger adults (18-29) scored lowest (5.5/12); however, youth scored higher on YouTube-related questions.
• Gender: Men scored slightly above women (7.6 vs. 6.3 on average).

Notable Trends and Comparisons

• Bipartisan knowledge: Republicans slightly outperformed Democrats on Pelosi identification, despite overall similarity.
• Historical changes: Increased awareness of stock market (Dow Jones 41% correct vs. 28% in 2000) and Pelosi's knowledge rising from previous surveys.
• Policy context: Higher awareness of party control under Democrats aligns with news focus, contrasting with years of Republican dominance.

Methodology Notes

• Data collected Aug 16-19, 2007, with a ±3.5% margin of error for totals.
• Questions covered topics from the Pew Knowledge Project quiz, including pop culture and current events.