Government

Summary

Survey research is well-established as a tool of government. Indeed, the techniques of survey research allowing, as they do, reliable conclusions to be drawn about the behaviour and attitudes of millions from samples of a few hundred or thousand, lend themselves to the task of government. In central government, surveys are continually being used to help formulate and, more commonly, implement policy. In recent years, local government has become increasingly aware of the possibilities of survey research for evaluating local needs, identifying service priority areas, guiding public relations, or simply gauging local opinion on issues of importance.