Target will publish results of opinion pool survey among Congolese on next presidential and legislative elections. In order to help readers’ better understand results, Saleh Sikofu, Research Specialist at Target explains the methodology used to conduct such an opinion pool survey and how the results could be used.

1.     Generally what is ‘’an opinion survey’’

An opinion  survey is a spontaneous survey allowing evaluate point of view of a sample representative population within  a country, a region or a town in a given topic for example citizens worries on HIV AIDS, good governance, economic-political environment, religion, sexual violence….Results are obtained from a sample and after extrapolated to the general population.

2. Why doing opinion survey  on a given topic?

The survey can be used in many cases. This can range from a simple opinion poll on a hot topic of news such as the rise of public transport or to more complex studies like the creation of a product / service / institution or measure the quality of a service. The results help to know the preferences or the opinion of the population.

3. Soon Target will publish results of the survey conducted on polling intentions. What methodology is used for such survey

The sample took in consideration population weight of each town randomly selected and respondents are also randomly choose thereby using Kish Grid. For opinion pool intention, each respondent was to express freely his/her point of view; you will realise that at least 30% did not want to express their point of view. These were open questions and each respondent gave his/her point of view regarding presidential and legislative elections freely; with no influence from our team. In case presidential elections were organized next week, who will you vote for? (Interviewer: allow respondent to spontaneously give a name). For legislative elections, the question was the following: In case legislative elections were to be hold next Sunday, for which political party will you vote for? (Interviewer, allow respondent spontaneously give the name of a political party).

4. Who do the results of this survey targeting?

This survey generally targets decision makers, and mainly political parties, journalists, people interested by next elections. 

5.  Are you not afraid to be seen as instrumented by a specific political party?

During election period, it is important to measure vote intention in order to have an idea of results. We can also have an idea of the participation rate or determine campaign themes which will touch populations.  Target is an independent and apolitical research agency. We work according to ESOMAR standards we are member of. Esomar is the wold research association. Since 2011, we endeavour to provide our client reliable information that will meet their satisfaction.

6. What are the outcome you are expecting form this survey?

This can give an ideas on results for the upcoming elections and could help personalities and political parties better orient their actions to assure their votes and how to attract others. Our survey revealed that 30% Congolese have not decided or don’t have a choice regarding next elections. Within this category, we have more women, unemployed. Various parties could win thereby looking closing at this category, to better understand their worries so that the feel concerned by the elections