Public opinion

Public opinion is an important component of policy-making and implementation. Polls provide the government with information on whether voters support its actions, how they perceive political figures, what challenges people face in their daily lives, and what they expect. In a democracy, understanding public opinion helps political parties select and implement their campaign platforms.

Journalists are also interested in public opinion, and reporting on it is part of news coverage. Surveys on social issues may also be conducted by think tanks, nonprofit organizations, and charities to uncover or draw attention to specific issues or the needs of citizens. Publishing these findings thus contributes to public debate and the search for solutions to the social problem in question.

Researchers therefore bear a significant social responsibility. They must provide the public with high-quality data and transparently explain their methodological approaches and the limitations of their findings. This section on the website of the SIMAR professional association also helps foster a better understanding of how public opinion polls are conducted and interpreted. To provide a basic overview of the topic, this section includes a public opinion poll in “Seven Questions and Answers,” a detailed explanation of survey methodology, guidelines for publishing survey results — including the Public Opinion Survey Passport — information about the self-regulatory platform, and links to other interesting information and resources.