Reliability of Sample Surveys by Themselves

Sample surveys in the political context today are far more misleading than they were a couple of decades ago. This is largely due to three interrelated shifts. First, public opinion is in a state of constant flux, with a much shorter lifespan than before. Second, electoral undercurrents—driven by fears, uncertainties, and governance concerns—have become more pronounced, altering how people respond. Third, the proliferation of social media, with its capacity to instantly plant and amplify rumours, has distorted top-of-the-mind responses. Together, these factors significantly weaken the reliability of sample surveys when taken at face value.