So says the survey, so what?

A SURVEY must have a goal to either measure, predict or explain why, how or what happens. The data gathered and the conclusion made after is useful in solving a problem or answering a question.

Now a survey to predict who will win in an election, with its options being 30 people who are not yet official candidates for the 12 slots being contested and its respondents being 1200 adults nationwide among the nearly 90 million population of the Philippines is neither accurate nor necessary to solve any problem or answer any question.

That brings us to questions such as why was this survey done? What is its importance? Why should the results of such survey get published? Why were the 36 options chosen as they were?

But this survey, with or without answering such questions, has been made. Now, the next important thing is what the people of the Philippines should do with the data; to what extent should they believe in the data produced.

Our point of viewing these questions and answers might be too negative. On the other hand it might be simply realistic and not optimistic nor pessimistic.

We believe that people must be aware of the “Bandwagon Effect” those taking the survey are actually stirring up.

Bandwagon effect is a psychological effect among people that tend to make them go for one idea or action because majority agree or are doing it.

So we ask again, could this survey not be some sort of epal activity with purpose of introducing certain candidates and portraying a trusted image of them to the Philippine society?

Whether the answer to the previous question is yes or no, another question is raised: Could the conductors of such survey have a goal of underestimating the possible candidates who were not in top 12 or even among the 36 options?

This reminds us of the theory of “Spiral of Silence”, which states that the more powerful and the richer, using publications, broadcast etc. bury the voice of the minority, the poor and the less known.

Spiral of silence, we believe applies to this certain survey and its publication. Or at least, it might.

So we should get to know all the candidates and their platforms and capacities to make a wise choice with respect to their own values and understanding. (Sahar Dola Tabadi Toghyani)