Does fear factor affect polls? Pulse Asia chief explains

Professor Ronald Holmes, head of pollster Pulse Asia, on Thursday revealed that "fear factor" cannot be removed in opinion surveys, adding that most respondents would choose to give a "socially-desirable response" in these polls.

"Hindi mo matatanggal 'yung fear factor. Hindi natin matatanggal na pagkausap mo yung isang indibidwal sa unang pagkakataon, maaaring banggitin ng indibidwal ang sa tingin niyang gusto mong marining, yung tinatawag na socially-desirable response," Holmes said in an episode of The Mangahas Interviews. 

(You can't remove fear factor. We can't remove that especially when you talk to an individual for the first time, an individual might give a socially-desirable response or answers you only want to hear.)

Investigative journalist Malou Mangahas asked the Pulse Asia director if fear among participants in opinion surveys have an effect in their responses to poll questions.

Holmes also said they are open for other researchers to study fear factors in their surveys.

"Hindi niru-rule out yun (fear factor). Yun yung non-sampling biases na maaaring masukat pero mahirap ding sukatin yan sa survey. Mayroon mga pamamaraan. Maaaring ipasok sa aming survey pero mas mabuting na ibang mananaliksik ang gumawa nang ganoong pagsusuri. Bukas naman kami dahil kami ay academic organization," said Holmes.

(We can't rule out fear. These are non-sampling biases that we can measure but it is difficult. There are ways to do that but maybe other researchers can do this. We are open since we are an academic organization.)

Filipinos takes issue with rise in price of goods; unemployment

Based on their recent polls, Holmes said most Filipinos are more concerned on the economic issues instead of talks about graft and corruption.

"Mas nananaig na ngayon 'yung pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, ang kita ng mga manggagawa o bayad sa manggagawa, kawalan ng trabaho, pagbabawas ng kahirapan," said Holmes.

(Filipinos are more concerned about the price increase for goods and services, worker's pay, unemployment and easing poverty.)

"Umiiral ulit 'yung economic issues. Hindi na masyadong ganoong katampok ang graft and corruption," he added.

(Economic issues are being talked about. Graft and corruption is not that of a major issue anymore.)

Holmes also noted that Filipinos' concern on the coronavirus disease pandemic has decreased.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News