7.20 Opinion polls. The congressional campaigns are in full swing, and the candi

Question

7.20 Opinion polls. The congressional campaigns are in full swing, and the candidates have hired polling organizations to take regular polls to find out what the voters think about the issues. What information should the pollsters be required to give out?

(a) What does the standard of informed consent, as discussed in this chapter, require the pollsters to tell potential respondents?

(b) The standards accepted by polling organizations also require giving respondents the name and address of the organization that carries out the poll. Why do you think this is required?

(c) The polling organization usually has a professional name such as “Samples Incorporated,” so respondents don’t know that the poll is being paid for by a political party or candidate. Would revealing the sponsor to respondents bias the poll? Should the sponsor always be announced whenever poll results are made public?

Explanation / Answer

a) I would need to be able to identify the individual doing the poll and the company they worked for the use that would be made of the results and how much time it will take me before I consent to be interviewed.

b) In the event of complaint about the way I am treated by the pollster.

c) Indeed it would be good practice that the interviewer does not have this information as bias can also come from the interviewer anticipating the wishes of the sponsor.
Yes.

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