Conversations That Matter EP 52: Dimitri Pantazzopoulos

Episode 52

Dimitri Pantazopoulos

Can you trust election polls?

This week’s Conversation That Matters features Dimitri Pantazopoulos, the only person who called the 2013 correctly in BC’s last general election. He takes us inside the world of polling. A world he says is complex, so complex that unless you have access to the methodology used in the sample, you’re left having to trust you instincts to know if the poll is accurate.

“It comes down to the methodology. We use live interviewers which I think remains the gold standard”, says Pantazopoulos. He also points out, what matters is where key question are asked in the interview. When asked off the top the likelihood of an accurate answer increases dramatically.

He went on to say technology is working against accuracy in polling, he says he envisions a day where the industry may have to return to door to door canvassing.

Conversations That Matter is a partner program with the Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University. Join veteran Broadcaster Stuart McNish each week for these important and engaging Conversations shaping our future.

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