Which audience analysis measurements principles and techniques are most effective, and why?

Polling is a quintessential part of media today. With so many media options for viewers, companies need any edge they can get at attracting viewers, and readers etc. Audience analysis is a very effective way to do this. With the onset of staticians, a number of prevalent and effective ways to get information from the public has surfaced.

Proabability sampling has been both a steadfast and non technology dependent medium for polling since 1940. By choosing the so called perfect number from a group demograaphic, statistically they are able to narrow down percentages to within five percent, a very respected number in the general public. Quota sampling, while less effective is still a decent form of polling. But in terms of effiecency and accuracy it is not as effective as proabability sampling, especially in terms of confidence levels.

With the onset of more powerful technology, metering has proved very effiecent in the radio and television world. This process includes a small peice in every TV that monitors channel viewing every 2.4 seconds. This is very accurate, and paints a picture of who, what where and when in terms of television viewing.