Study of measurement errors of Cabinet Office opinion survey

Abstract

Public opinion surveys are important for gauging the feelings and behaviours of societies. However, there is the possibility of error, which means that the data collected may not accurately reflect the thoughts and opinions of society, which can have dangerous repercussions. In order to minimise such error, with a specific focus on the Japanese Government's Cabinet Office public opinion survey, Professor Harumasa Yoshimura, Nara University, Japan, is investigating measurement error and, in doing so, he hopes to more accurately reflect the true opinions of Japanese society. This research involves integrating the different factors that can affect the reliability of survey results and looking at non-sampling error, which refers to human mistakes. Yoshimura is proposing a new style of social research that integrates psychometric research with sociological community surveys and believes this is the key to enhancing the reliability of public opinion surveys. Ultimately, improving the accuracy of public opinion surveys will have far-reaching benefits that include more accurately depicting thoughts and behaviours and therefore improving awareness of Japanese society, as well as preventing the negative impacts that inaccurate opinion survey results can have, including the political utilisation of academic endeavours.