What does it mean when a public opinion poll has a low margin of error?

When a public opinion poll has a low margin of error, it indicates that the results obtained from the sample are likely to be very close to the true opinions of the entire population. A low margin of error suggests that there is less uncertainty in the poll's findings, reflecting that the sample accurately captures the views of the broader population.

A low margin of error typically results from having a sufficiently large and well-chosen sample that closely mirrors the characteristics of the population being studied. This reliability is essential in public opinion polling since it allows both researchers and policymakers to make informed decisions based on the data collected. Ultimately, a low margin of error enhances the credibility of the poll and provides confidence that the reported values represent the true sentiments of the population surveyed.