Wednesday 27 August 2014

Scottish independence vote: what do the polls say?

The poll is due on the 18th September - but how have recent TV debates effected attitudes?

BBC polls tracker is monitoring attitudes and predicts 51% against. consult the explanation of its methodology.

YouGov has conducted a number of polls throughout the campaign they track the no vote falling.

Uk Polling report has been tracking all polls since 2012 so gives a longer term picture. It includes both YouGov, Ipso Mori and ICM. Note it does not seem to include som eof the more recent polls listed on the pollsters websites.

What Scotland Thinks is a great site maintained by ScotCen Social Research. It includes papers and reports from the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey. It also includes recent poll results
Some interesting discussion papers from the Scottish Social attitudes research include Has the Referendum Campaign Made a Difference? by John Curtice
Minding the gap – women’s views of independence in 2014 by Rachel Ormston
Who is still wavering? Turnout and the undecided by Jan Eichhorn and Linday Paterson

Thursday 21 August 2014

Scotland independence referendum - starting points for academic research

Starting point.
Here is the first in our series of special posts.

Basic starting points for academic research.
Scotland's Referendum - site established by the Scottish government to provide public information. Note this supports a yes vote. Key features include: Background documents setting out the path to the referendum
the full text guide Scotland's Future which puts the case for independence
Blog with news updates 
Social media sites - Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickr
Pinterest

UK Government guide - note this opposes independence.
Includes the You Decide tool which aims to help voters make decisions.
Has links to full text UK government publications.
Twitter  Facebook  Linkedin


Yes Scotland
Yes Scotland is the all-party and no-party campaign for a Yes vote It is an alliance of the Scottish National Party, Scottish Green Party, Scottish Socialist Party. It includes briefings produced by its members.
Interesting videos and postings discussing creative events proposing independence. There is also discussion of media coverage.

twitter and Facebook. site includes articles from socialists.


United with Labour Labour Party no campaign with online videos, twitter and news.

 Better Together all party campaign representing no vote. website includes leaflets and online videos. Facebook. twitter






Thursday 7 August 2014

Turkish presidential elections

Try our recommended resources for finding out the facts
The official Electoral commission website (Turkish) only has facts and background information including results.
The OSCE conducted an assessment of the organisation and conduct of the elections. Reports are being added to their website.

New services with good analytical coverage include:
Turkish sites.
Turkiye
Huriyet Daily
Zaman
Posta (popular press)

BBC
Al-Jazeera
Washington Post

Think tanks
Rand
Brookings 
Council on Foreign Relations
Chatham House
Washington Institute
Rethink Institute
SETA Foundation Turkey

Blogs and newsletters
Turkey Analyst
The Turkey Analyst is a publication of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Joint Center, designed to bring authoritative analysis and news on the rapidly developing domestic and foreign policy issues in Turkey. It is published bi-weekly, and includes topical analysis, as well as a summary of the Turkish media debate
James in Turkey analysis from Michael Sercan Daventry journalist