During the pandemic and lockdown the interest of Russians in polls and the level of trust in their results have increased.

MOSCOW, November 14, 2020.  Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to Day of Sociologist marked in Russia.

Russia has been marking Day of Sociologist since 1994 (unofficially). November 14^th is the day when the Russian School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences was launched in Paris in 1901; this School had one of the first sociology departments. Sociology became wide popular because of mass polls which initially were street interviews and later telephone surveys.  Today sociology serves a variety of needs, both theoretical and practical.

Interest and trust

An overwhelming majority of Russians are confident that surveys are needed (90%, +4 p.p. since last year); about half of Russians are absolutely confident  (46%). The 15- year tracking study shows that the level of need in the surveys was the lowest in 2013 (69%) and the highest in 2018 (91%). At the moment, 7% of Russians believe that public opinion surveys are not needed.

The Index shows that there has been an increase in the interest of Russians in public opinion surveys over the recent four years (2017-2020) compared to an earlier period.

The levels of trust in public opinion surveys grew after a decrease in 2018 (12 p.) and reached 31 p. Russians tend to be cautious about survey results; the trust peak was recorded in the very beginning of the tracking study (43 p. in 2005).

Seventy-two percent of Russians are confident that public opinion surveys reflect the actual opinions of Russians; this share is higher among young respondents (76%) but those who are absolutely confident are older age groups.   

Obviously, growing interest in survey results is due to the public desire to overcome isolation barrier put by the pandemic. The feeling of belonging, self-recognition in public opinion surveys and readiness to agree with the opinion of the majority increase the level of trust in sociological research.   

Public opinion surveys and their role

Three-quarters of Russians agree that surveys help to learn what people think about the situation in their city, region or country, so that the public bodies could take these opinions into account in decision making and problem solving (74%). Respondents also agree that the results of surveys are used by various responsible persons (politicians, entrepreneurs, public bodies) to increase the effectiveness of their activities (59%). Fifty-eight percent of respondents believe that public opinion surveys are conducted mainly by researchers for scientific purposes; however 54% admit that there is a chance of coming  across a faked (manipulative) survey communicated through mass media.

Perception of surveys as something trendy and unserious reached a high last year (54%), then decreased to the 2018 levels and reached 45% of total respondents. The smallest number of those who share this stance was recorded in 2008 (32%).  

* Index of interest in public opinion surveys shows to what extent the Russians are interested in public opinion surveys. The higher the value of index, the higher their interest. Index is based on the answer to the question “In your opinion, are public opinion surveys necessary in general?” by summing up the answers. “Definitely necessary” corresponds to “1”; “likely necessary” - “0.5”; “likely unnecessary” - “-0.5”; “definitely unnecessary” -  “-1”.  The Index is measured in points and can vary between -100 and 100.

** Index of trust in public opinion surveys shows how Russians assess the accuracy of public opinion surveys.  The higher the value of index, the higher their confidence in survey credibility. Index is based on the answer to the question “Do you think that the results of public opinion surveys generally reflect/do not reflect the actual opinions of the citizens?” by summing up the answers. “Definitely reflect” corresponds to “1”; “likely to reflect” - “0.5”; “likely not to reflect” - “-0.5”; “definitely do not reflect”  - “-1”. Index is measured in points and can vary between -100 and 100.

Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on November 4^th, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.