Introduction to Polling and Survey Methods

Polling and survey methods is an interdisciplinary activity and includes actors in all areas of society, including academia, government, and the private sector. Designing, implementing, and analyzing high-quality, accurate, and cost-effective polls and surveys requires a combination of skills and methodological perspectives. Despite the well-publicized issues that have cropped up in recent political polling, a great deal is known today about how to collect high-quality polling and survey data even in complex and difficult environments. Quality surveys and good survey data are important because social scientists are only as good as the data produced. Therefore, it is critical to follow best practices and guidelines and help researchers assess a variety of factors to make good choices when collecting and analyzing data. Equally important is transmitting those results to others in a clear and accessible manner.