An opinion poll is a method of systematically collecting and analyzing data from a population sample or a group of people, in order to gauge public opinion on a particular issue. Opinion polls are often conducted by market research firms, political pollsters, and other organizations.
Here are some of the limitations of opinion polls:
Sampling error: Opinion polls are only as accurate as the sample of people who are surveyed. If the sample is not representative of the population, then the results of the poll will be inaccurate.
Non-response bias: Not everyone who is selected to participate in an opinion poll will actually respond. This can introduce bias into the results, as the people who do not respond may have different opinions than the people who do.
Question wording: The way that questions are worded in an opinion poll can influence the results. For example, a question that is leading or biased may lead respondents to give a certain answer, even if they do not actually hold that opinion.
Respondent fatigue: People who are frequently surveyed may become fatigued and less likely to respond accurately. This can be a problem, as it can lead to a decline in the quality of the data collected.
Despite these limitations, opinion polls can be a valuable tool for understanding public opinion. When conducted carefully, they can provide accurate and reliable information about what people think about important issues.
Pollsters can manipulate the results: Pollsters can manipulate the results of an opinion poll by asking leading questions, using biased wording, or selecting a biased sample.
Polls can be expensive to conduct: Opinion polls can be expensive to conduct, especially if they involve a large sample size. This can limit the number of polls that are conducted, and it can also make it difficult for smaller organizations to conduct polls.
Polls can be used to manipulate public opinion: Opinion polls can be used to manipulate public opinion by releasing polls that show a particular candidate or issue in a favorable light. This can be done by releasing polls that are conducted with a biased sample, or by using leading questions.
Overall, opinion polls are a valuable tool for understanding public opinion. However, it is important to be aware of the limitations of opinion polls and to critically evaluate the results of any poll that you read.
According to Arun Jaitley, the Union Minister of India. "Psephology in India is still maturing. There are opinion polls and opinion polls. Some have acquired credibility and some can easily be ignored."
Some are cases of even “participatory psephology.” Whatever may be the reliability or otherwise of these polls, can they be prohibited or banned? Polls like Gallup in the United States have acquired great credibility.
Conducted on carefully chosen small samples, the polls normally prove correct. When the trend of opinion polls are adverse to the political parties, they rubbish them. They start demanding a ban.
The loser demands a ban and the potential winner wants them to continue. A ban on such polls can not be considered based on who is demanding the ban. Clearly, polls are also a part of free speech.
Restricting them is constitutionally neither permissible nor desirable. The Election Commission will be best advised to keep away from this controversy and allow the market place of democracy to accept or reject the findings of the opinion poll.
If the polls can be legitimately banned in this country, the next step would be to ban political commentators from giving assessments favourable to some and adverse to some others. A potential loser in an election can not seek to alter the rules of Free Speech.
Post a Comment