IRI Hosts Polling Seminars for Political Parties

February 9, 2004

In early February 2004, IRI conducted two equal polling seminars for the PNL and PD. IRI volunteer trainer Ed Ledek conducted the training exercise for the PNL and PD local chapters of Bihor, Arad, Sibiu, Maramures, Valcea and Caras Severin. Topics covered by Mr. Ledek included an explanation of the different types of polls such as benchmark, snapshot and tracking surveys, drafting a questionnaire including types of questions and order, conducting a focus group, data collection and compilation and finally utilizing polling results. PD participants also conducted a small poll in the steps outlined by their training; drafting a simple 8-10 minute questionnaire, fielding a team of 24 young volunteers to conduct the surveys, entering the coded information into a database and working with the trainer to analyze the results. Mr. Ledek emphasized the "science" of polling. He encouraged participants to field teams of volunteers to understand voters concerns, but cautioned them to avoid misinformation and compare their results to polls conducted in a professional scientific manner. Mr. Ledek also advised participants to NOT disclose the results of their polls to the media, but to keep the findings internal for strategy and message purposes only. He explained that by giving out the polling data, campaign competitors could use the information against the party that purchased the poll.

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