According to the National Council on Public Polls, an industry trade
group, the U.S. survey research industry brings in $3 billion
(presumably per year):
"Polling is only a part of a $3 billion U.S. survey research industry
that affects your life in many ways. Medicines in your cabinet became
available only after they had been tested for effectiveness and
safety, tested among samples of patients. Manufacturers use sampling
methods to guard against producing defective products. Businesses
conduct market research by sampling consumer opinions to help develop
products people want and avoid costly mistakes."
National Council on Public Polls
http://www.ncpp.org/faq.htm
The Polling Company, a firm involved in market research and political
polls, says that the overall industry gross in the US is $5 billion:
"Polling is now big business. The industry annually grosses an
estimated $5 billion in the United States alone."
The Polling Company
http://www.pollingcompany.com/resourcecenter.asp?FormMode=Call&LinkType=Text&ID=14
Although political polls draw a great deal of press, most surveys and
polls are conducted for market research purposes, rather than for
gathering data about political viewpoints:
"Market Research/Polling Industry: The hundreds of private firms,
nonprofit organizations, media outlets, and university institutes that
produce public opinion research in America. The polling industry
employs forty to sixty thousand people and boasts five distinct
sectors: (1) The Academic and Nonprofit Sector, (2) The Private
Sector, (3) The Mass Media Sector, (4) The Government Sector, and (5)
The In-House Sector...
Somewhat surprisingly, it is market research instead of the higher
profile political polling that accounts for most survey research
activity. Political polling, in fact, generates only a small fraction
of industry revenues."
The Polling Company
http://www.pollingcompany.com/resourcecenter.asp?FormMode=Call&LinkType=Text&ID=14
"For over 60 years, The Gallup Organization has been the world leader
in the measurement and analysis of people's attitudes, opinions, and
behavior. Gallup is best known for The Gallup Poll, which dates from
1935. Opinion polling represents only a fraction of the company's
business today. Gallup also provides marketing, management research,
consulting, and training to the world's largest corporations and
institutions."
Shasta College
http://library.shastacollege.edu/math102.htm
In the UK, MORI (Market & Opinion Research International), which
conducts polls for 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace, likewise
does more market research work for private corporations than for
political entities:
"While MORI is best known for its opinion polls at election time,
political polls account for only a fraction of turnover.
The company?s largest clients are corporations, including Shell, BP
and Nokia. The company achieved turnover of £35.8 million in 2002,
with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of
£5.1 million."
Times Online
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5-705371,00.html
I hope this information will be useful. If anything is unclear, please
request clarification.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
