WAEC Government 2010 Theory — Question 7

Model answer

Factors that could make the conduct of opinion polls unreliable in West Africa: (i) Illiteracy and language barrier is a major factor - other people are not sincere, they are not accurate, or write in English. Many people cannot leave many responses unanswered. (ii) Rural areas are often not covered because opinion polls are marred by manipulated ceptions used by the researchers. The views about opinion polls admitted in West Africa are often not sincere - some people who are manipulated usually manipulate the responses. (iii) Many of the opinion polls conducted in West Africa are affected by the problem of funding on the part of government and other corporate bodies. Shortage of funds makes the conduct of opinion polls in West Africa unreliable because it hinders the researchers from reaching many respondents that are vital for the poll. (iv) People get suspicious when asked questions about government and its policies. They are not sincere about controlling the government and it questions the sincerity and conduct of the interviews with respondents. (v) The lack of adequate training on the part of officials responsible for conducting opinion polls is another factor that makes the conduct of opinion polls in West Africa unreliable.