14 November 2021. 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 14th is the day when the Russian School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences was launched in Paris in 1901; the 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
A vast majority of Russians believe that public opinion surveys are important (85%; −5 p.p. since the previous year); about 42% of respondents think that surveys are a must. Over the sixteen years of monitoring the need for public opinion surveys hit its lowest level in 2013 (69%) and its highest point in 2018 (91%). According to the 2021 data, 11% think that public opinion surveys are not needed.
The index based on the monitoring data from 2017 to 2020 showed increased interest among Russians in public opinion surveys compared to an earlier period; however, 2021 shows a slight decrease and hit 57 p. (−7 p. compared to 2020).
Trust in surveys has decreased compared to the previous year and hit 23 p. (31 p. in 2020; −8 p.). Russians commonly show caution towards survey results; trust hit highest levels when the monitoring study started (43 points in 2005).
Sixty-five percent of Russians are confident that public opinion surveys reflect the actual opinions of people; the percentage is higher among young respondents aged 18-24 (77%).
Surveys: helping to inform, govern and do research
Almost three-quarters of Russians (72%) agree that public opinion surveys help understand people’s opinions in a city, region or a country in order for the authorities to take them into account in decision-making.
More than half of Russians (63%) consider that public opinion survey results are used by decision-makers (politicians, entrepreneurs, governmental bodies) to increase the effectiveness of their work.
At the same time, 60% of respondents believe that surveys are carried out by researchers for scientific knowledge; however 59% think there might be fake (manipulative) results communicated by mass media.
Forty-five percent of respondents consider surveys unimportant and perceive them as a pure trend. This opinion was especially popular in 2019 (54%).
* 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 is, the higher their interest is. 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 is, the higher their confidence in survey credibility is. 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 6, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. 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.
Various public opinion surveys on different topics are conducted today. In your opinion, are public opinion surveys necessary in general? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||||||
| 2005 | 2008 | 2012 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
Definitely necessary | 38 | 24 | 27 | 23 | 44 | 34 | 42 | 51 | 46 | 46 | 42 |
Likely necessary | 47 | 52 | 44 | 46 | 40 | 47 | 48 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 43 |
Likely unnecessary | 7 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 |
Definitely unnecessary | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Don’t know | 7 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Index* | 57 | 44 | 41 | 39 | 56 | 49 | 61 | 66 | 59 | 64 | 57 |
Do you think that the results of public opinion surveys generally reflect /do not reflect the actual opinions of the citizens? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||||||||
| 2005 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2012 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
Definitely reflect | 25 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 29 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Likely to reflect | 51 | 55 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 51 | 42 | 48 | 54 | 45 | 47 | 53 | 49 |
Likely not to reflect | 12 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 27 | 21 | 16 | 21 |
Definitely do not reflect | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
Don’t know | 10 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 15 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
Index** | 43 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 29 | 35 | 26 | 22 | 12 | 21 | 31 | 23 |
Do you think that the results of public opinion surveys generally reflect/do not reflect the actual opinions of the citizens? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
Definitely reflect | 16 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 |
Likely to reflect | 49 | 58 | 48 | 46 | 50 | 47 |
Likely not to reflect | 21 | 13 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 25 |
Definitely do not reflect | 7 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 4 |
Don’t know | 7 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
Below are several statements concerning public opinion surveys. Which one do you agree/ disagree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents, shown are “agree” and “likely to agree” answers) | |||||||
| 2005 | 2008 | 2014 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
Public opinion surveys help to find out what people think about the situation in their city, region country, so that the governmental agencies could take their opinions into account in problem solving. | 84 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 74 | 74 | 72 |
The survey results are used by governmental agencies, politicians, entrepreneurs to increase the effectiveness of the activities. | 59 | 56 | 58 | 61 | 59 | 60 | 63 |
Those who conduct public opinion surveys are mainly researchers; they do it for scientific purposes. | 67 | 51 | 60 | 52 | 58 | 58 | 60 |
The survey results are often faked and published by mass media to influence people and their behavior. | - | - | - | 53 | - | 54 | 59 |
Public opinion surveys are neither harmful nor beneficial: no one pays attention to them; they are pure fashion. | 35 | 32 | 41 | 46 | 54 | 45 | 45 |
Below are several statements concerning public opinion surveys. Which one do you agree/ disagree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents in a line) | |||||
| Agree | Likely to agree | Likely to disagree | Disagree | Don’t know |
Public opinion surveys help to find out what people think about the situation in their city, region country, so that the governmental agencies could take their opinions into account in problem solving. | 40 | 32 | 12 | 13 | 3 |
Public opinion surveys are neither harmful nor beneficial: no one pays attention to them; they are pure fashion. | 23 | 22 | 23 | 27 | 5 |
Those who conduct public opinion surveys are mainly researchers; they do it for scientific purposes. | 27 | 33 | 16 | 18 | 6 |
The survey results are often faked and published by mass media to influence people and their behavior. | 29 | 30 | 16 | 17 | 7 |
The survey results are used by governmental agencies, politicians, entrepreneurs to increase the effectiveness of the activities. | 28 | 35 | 14 | 16 | 7 |
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.