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MPR Poll: The effects of terrorism
October 16, 2001



Question:I'm going to read you a list of ways in which the attacks could have potentially affected your life. After each one, please tell me if that applies to you. Have you...?

Option Yes No Don't Know
Saved more money or postponed a major purchase? 23% 75% 2%
Spent more or sped up a major purchase? 11% 86% 3%
Sold stocks or mutual funds? 6% 93% 1%
Bought more life insurance? 3% 96% 1%
Traveled less? 27% 71% 2%
Felt more anxious? 52% 46% 2%
Had more trouble sleeping? 19% 80% 1%
Worried more about job security? 19% 77% 4%
Spent more time with family and friends? 47% 52% 1%
Spent more time in spiritual activities? 45% 54% 1%
Worked less by choice? 13% 78% 9%
Worked less because hours or job was cut? 7% 89% 4%
Stockpiled food or medicine? 2% 97% 1%
Cared more about foreign affairs and America's place in the world? 78% 21% 1%
Been more suspicious of foreigners, particularly people who may be Arab? 37% 60% 3%
Donated more to charity? 42% 57% 1%


Question: Do you believe that Minnesota is well prepared to deal with a possible terrorist attack?

Option State Men Women
Yes 34% 32% 36%
No 35% 42% 28%
Not Sure 31% 26% 36%


Methodology
The MPR poll was conducted October 11-12, 2001 by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. of Washington, D.C. A total of 625 registered Minnesota voters were interviewed by telephone. All stated they regularly vote in state elections.

Those interviewed were selected by the random variation of the last four digits of telephone numbers. A cross-section of exchanges were utilized in order to ensure an accurate reflection of the state. Quotas were assigned to reflect voter turn-out by county.

The margin for error, according to standards customarily used by statisticians, is no more than plus or minus 4 percentage points. This means that there is a 95 percent probability that the "true" figure would fall within that range if the entire population were sampled. The margin for error is higher for any subgroup, such as a regional or gender grouping.

Sample Figures:
Men 310 (50%)
Women 315 (50%)

Region Interviews
Minneapolis/St. Paul 350 interviews
Rochester/Southeast 71 interviews
Southwest Minnesota 64 interviews
Northwest Minnesota 68 interviews
Duluth/Northeast 72 interviews


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Poll Copyright 2001, Mason-Dixon Political/Media Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved