Research, opinion polls, enquetes and surveys

Abstract

This paper analyzes the experiences of the election polls and surveys developed in Brazil. Initially, conceptual definitions are elaborated, aiming at making the difference among consultings made by the media, the election polls produced by the public opinion institutes, and the academic studies in this area. After that, the academic intellectual production is analyzed, starting at the first works published in the 40s to today's works. Finally, the experience of the public opinion institutes is evaluated considering their credibility problems, the influence upon the polls during an election process and the chance of errors in an election poll.