Posted by Chester Morton / Tuesday 5 April 2016 / No comments
The advantages of Public Opinion Polls
OPINION POLLS
Definition
An opinion poll involves the use of a representative number of people and asking them specific questions on
particular issues. Their responses are then scientifically analyzed to arrive at
what percentage of people is saying what on a particular issue.
ADVANTAGES OF OPINION POLLS
Keeps Government Officials in Line
Sometimes, the pronouncement of government
officials indicates that they are far removed from the real issues on the
ground. So their policies tend to be out of line, not serving the interest of
the people. Public opinion poll helps to put back such government official in
line.
Helps political parties
Opinion polls are useful to political parties in
many ways. When opinions polls are conducted and the results released,
political parties are able to determine how well or otherwise they shall
perform at the polls. Where the results show that they shall lose the next
election, the party concerned goes into action to try to change the tide. Where
it shows that they shall win, the party concerned then consolidate it hold so
as to ensure the predicted victory.
Determines Public Perception of Government
Public opinion polls are sometimes used to
determine the popularity of a government. Specific questions are put to
respondents to state whether they will vote for the current government if the
election were held on that day. The responses are scientifically analyzed and a
determination made as to the popularity of the government.
Important Tool for Democracy
A public opinion poll can be used as a means to
allow the public to express their views on issues. This is useful for democracy
because democracy itself allows for the expression of the views of the people
through periodic elections, referendums, recalls, demonstrations, strikes, etc.
Amendment of Government Policies
The acceptability or otherwise of government
policy could be exposed through public opinion polls. The government of the day
can change a policy direction if it sees that its policy is not acceptable to
the people. The government uses public opinion polls to arrive at the decision
whether to change policy directions or not.
Tests Acceptability of a Government Policy
A government could commission an opinion poll
to test whether a policy it is about to roll out would be accepted by the
people. So even before the policy is rolled out, the government knows how well
or otherwise it would be received. If therefore, there is a need for some
fine-tuning before it could be accepted, the government then makes such
amendments before the policy is finally announced.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. a What is public opinion poll? [2 marks]
b.
Highlight five advantages of opinion polls. [10 marks]
2. Examine six advantages of opinion polls [12
marks]
3. Discuss three advantages and three disadvantages
of opinion polls. [12 marks]
