Lit Review
The most useful article I came across was an aggregate level look at 83 studies where voter turnout was the dependent variable. It seems the most useful as it creates a solid base to start looking at many of the variables that cause dips and changes in voter turnout. The study conducted by Benny Geys, looks at so many studies and breaks down the different independent variables that can effect voter turnout.(2006) This study does well at defining voter turnout and ensuring that the reader is aware of the different ways to measure voter turnout. Table 1 breaks down the various ways to measure voter turnout. It is by far the most useful break down of an operational definition I could stand to borrow.
Definition Frequency
Absolute number of votes cast 3
Number voted/voting age population 36
Number voted/number of eligible voters 13
Number voted/number registered 23
Number voted/size of electorate 2
No clear reference given 10
(Geys, 2006)
Geys does an excellent job at breaking down how each measurement of voter turnout is effective in its own way. While looking at this variety of different studies there are going to be a high number of independent variables. This article while creating an excellent working operational definition of voter turnout and the various ways to measure it is unclear what independent variables are statically significant. Geys claims that the lack of certainty comes from the breadth of independent variables at work. (2006) Overall this article
The most useful article I came across was an aggregate level look at 83 studies where voter turnout was the dependent variable. It seems the most useful as it creates a solid base to start looking at many of the variables that cause dips and changes in voter turnout. The study conducted by Benny Geys, looks at so many studies and breaks down the different independent variables that can effect voter turnout.(2006) This study does well at defining voter turnout and ensuring that the reader is aware of the different ways to measure voter turnout. Table 1 breaks down the various ways to measure voter turnout. It is by far the most useful break down of an operational definition I could stand to borrow.
Definition Frequency
Absolute number of votes cast 3
Number voted/voting age population 36
Number voted/number of eligible voters 13
Number voted/number registered 23
Number voted/size of electorate 2
No clear reference given 10
(Geys, 2006)
Geys does an excellent job at breaking down how each measurement of voter turnout is effective in its own way. While looking at this variety of different studies there are going to be a high number of independent variables. This article while creating an excellent working operational definition of voter turnout and the various ways to measure it is unclear what independent variables are statically significant. Geys claims that the lack of certainty comes from the breadth of independent variables at work. (2006) Overall this article