scientific poll

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scientific poll" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a survey or questionnaire that employs scientific methods to gather data and analyze public opinion. Example: "The results of the scientific poll indicated a significant shift in voter preferences ahead of the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Nor a scientific poll.

The New York Times

"This is not a scientific poll," Fox cautioned.

The New York Times

I take an exhaustive, scientific poll of three friends.

The Guardian - Opinion

American pollster, the first to develop the scientific poll for political forecasting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is hardly a cross-section of fans or a scientific poll.

The New York Times - Sports

This scientific poll conducted with Tampa Bay area residents by SurveyUSA demonstrated no gender, race, or real age gap.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Scientific polls conducted after Tuesday night's presidential debate in New York give a modest edge to President Obama.

The New York Times

Online surveys are not generally considered scientific polls because respondents remain anonymous and are self-selected, rather than randomly selected by interviewers.

The New York Times

The samples of people surveyed in "Britain" were small, unrepresentative, and inconsistent, he asserted; he noted that George Gallup's organization had brought scientific polling to Britain.

The New Yorker

We might administer scientific polls to determine the degree to which people take themselves to be happy and what causes they might attribute to their own levels happiness.

The New York Times

In 1938, in the earliest days of scientific polling, Dr Gallup found that 84percentt of all American adults wanted to see Government registration of all pistols and revolvers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a poll, specify the methodology used to ensure it meets the criteria of a "scientific poll", such as random sampling and appropriate sample size.

Common error

Avoid labeling online opt-in surveys as "scientific polls". These surveys, where participants volunteer, often lack the random sampling necessary for accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scientific poll" functions as a noun phrase, where "scientific" modifies "poll", indicating that the poll adheres to scientific principles of methodology. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scientific poll" signifies a survey conducted with rigorous methodologies, ensuring credible and representative results. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and suitable for formal contexts such as news, academia, and professional reports. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the methodological rigor applied in data collection and analysis. To ensure proper usage, it's crucial to verify that a poll genuinely uses scientific methods like random sampling and appropriate statistical analysis. Avoid mislabeling non-scientific surveys as "scientific polls".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

methodological survey

Emphasizes the systematic and structured approach to data collection and analysis, similar to a "scientific poll".

rigorous opinion survey

Highlights the strict and thorough nature of the survey methodology.

evidence-based survey

Focuses on the empirical and factual basis of the survey results.

statistically valid poll

Underscores the adherence to statistical principles ensuring reliability.

data-driven public opinion assessment

Highlights the role of data in informing an evaluation of public sentiment.

systematic public survey

Highlights the organized and methodical aspect of gathering public opinion.

structured public inquiry

Focuses on the formalized and planned aspect of investigating public sentiment.

controlled opinion research

Emphasizes the careful management and standardization of the research process.

empirical attitude study

Highlights the reliance on observation and experimentation to study attitudes.

quantitative sentiment analysis

Focuses on using numerical data to measure and interpret public sentiment.

FAQs

How is a "scientific poll" different from an informal survey?

A "scientific poll" uses rigorous methodology like random sampling to ensure results represent the broader population. Informal surveys, often lacking this rigor, provide only anecdotal evidence.

What makes a poll "scientific"?

Key elements include random sampling, appropriate sample size, validated questionnaires, and statistical analysis to minimize bias and ensure accuracy.

Can I use the results of a "scientific poll" to make broad generalizations?

Yes, but with caution. While a "scientific poll" aims for accuracy, consider its margin of error and the specific population sampled before drawing definitive conclusions.

Are "opinion polls" the same as "scientific polls"?

Opinion polls can be scientific if they adhere to strict methodological standards, but many online or convenience polls do not meet these criteria.