Opinion polls are designed to record the opinions of a segment of a population by conducting a series of questions and then estimating or assuming the results of the sample recorded represent the opinions of a much larger segment of the population.   We also use the word survey when researching public opinion, although technically a poll focuses on one question while a survey has multiple questions.  Is it just me or does it seem we hear about polls and surveys constantly nowadays?  I don’t have a problem participating in them when asked.  However, the problem with polls is that you can’t depend on the result of a poll today to extend into the future.  Someone’s answer right now may not be the answer given to the same question a month, or whenever, from now because circumstances may come about to change minds.  There’s also the possibility some people will, shall we say, state a categorical inaccuracy, in other words not tell the truth.    Having said that, there’s somewhat of a fascination with hearing the result of “the latest poll”, especially if it’s about something we are interested in, usually a political scenario.  Hopefully we wouldn’t let the published results of the most recent poll influence the way we would vote on an Election Day.  It doesn’t matter what a poll taken at a certain point of time showed.  I’d rather make up my own mind. 

That’s Coffeetalk.  I’m Vic Dubois.