Definition of the word opinion poll

The term "opinion poll" originated in the 1930s as a way to measure public opinion through scientifically conducted surveys. The concept was first observed in the UK by the political activist and pollster, Robert McKenzie, who worked alongside the academic and sociologist, Hermann Sarceeus. McKenzie had noticed a trend during the 1929 General Election campaign, whereby candidates asked their supporters to indicate their opinion on different issues using colored cards. This feedback was then tallied to determine the candidate's overall popularity. McKenzie and Sarceeus refined this technique by creating more systematic and structured questionnaires with a predetermined range of responses. The surveys were administered to a representative sample of the population, and the results were then statistically analyzed to produce an accurate reflection of the public's opinions on a variety of topics. The first opinion poll in the UK was conducted in 1937 by Mass Observation, a social research organization. This poll involved questioning a sample of 1,000 people on their preferences regarding the abdication of King Edward VIII. The practice of conducting opinion polls quickly gained popularity in the political arena, as it provided a more accurate reflection of public opinion than traditional methods such as door-to-door canvassing or meeting the local constituency. Today, opinion polls are widely used across the world in areas such as politics, marketing, and public policy-making, as they allow us to make informed decisions based on the views and opinions of the general population.