Poll vs. Survey: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 19, 2023
A poll typically gathers opinions on a specific topic, often with limited options; a survey collects detailed information through various questions across multiple topics.
Key Differences
Both a poll and a survey are instruments to collect information, but they serve different purposes and are structured differently. A poll is generally short and focuses on obtaining a quick snapshot of opinions on a single topic. When one thinks of a poll, it is often in the context of gauging public opinion on a specific issue, like preferences for political candidates. In contrast, a survey delves deeper, consisting of multiple questions that seek comprehensive insights on varied aspects related to a broader subject.
Polls are frequently used in settings where rapid feedback is required. They are predominantly seen in media, during events, or on websites where individuals are asked to choose among given options. The results are typically presented in percentages, reflecting the distribution of opinions. Surveys, on the other hand, can be lengthier and are designed to capture detailed feedback, attitudes, or experiences. They might include multiple-choice questions, scales, and open-ended questions, aiming to understand nuances.
A distinguishing feature of a poll is its simplicity. Polls usually present limited choices, often binary or a small set of options, making them easy for respondents to participate in. This contrasts with the survey's comprehensive nature, which can encompass a wide array of question types and subjects, collecting both qualitative and quantitative data.
In essence, while both poll and survey aim to gather information, they differ in depth, structure, and intent. A poll provides a quick pulse on a specific topic, whereas a survey offers a more detailed exploration of subjects, capturing a broad spectrum of data.
Comparison Chart
Depth
Shallow, specific
Deep, comprehensive
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Length
Typically short
Can be lengthy
Questions Type
Limited choices
Varied: multiple-choice, scales, open-ended, etc.
Purpose
Quick feedback on a topic
Detailed insights on multiple topics
Presentation of Results
Often in percentages
Varied formats: percentages, averages, descriptions
Poll and Survey Definitions
Poll
A collection of opinions on a specific topic.
The recent poll indicates that the majority favor the new policy.
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Survey
An extensive study to gather detailed information.
The city conducted a survey to understand residents' transportation needs.
Poll
A quick measurement of public sentiment on an issue.
The online poll revealed fans' favorite movie of the year.
Survey
A questionnaire assessing attitudes, experiences, or characteristics.
The health survey revealed dietary habits of the community.
Poll
A brief inquiry into people's views or beliefs.
The restaurant's poll asked patrons to choose their favorite dessert.
Survey
A methodical examination across a range of topics.
The annual survey captures employee satisfaction metrics.
Poll
The casting and registering of votes in an election.
Survey
An instrument with varied questions to collect qualitative and quantitative data.
The survey highlighted areas for improvement in the software.
Poll
The number of votes cast or recorded.
Survey
To look over the parts, features, or contents of; view broadly
Surveyed the neighborhood from a rooftop.
Surveyed the shelves in the pantry.
Poll
The places where votes are cast and registered during an election, considered as a group
The polls close in this state at 8:00.
Survey
To look at or examine carefully and appraise
Surveyed the storm damage. ].
Poll
A place where votes are cast and registered
I went to the polls before work to cast a vote.
Survey
The act of surveying; a general view.
Poll
A survey of the public or of a sample of public opinion to acquire information.
Survey
A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of a particular group of items, in order to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality.
A survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings.
Poll
The head, especially the top of the head where hair grows.
Survey
The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of any part of the Earth's surface.
Poll
The blunt or broad end of a tool such as a hammer or axe.
Survey
A measured plan and description of any portion of country.
The owners of the adjoining plots had conflicting surveys.
Poll
To receive (a given number of votes).
Survey
An examination of the opinions of a group of people.
The local council conducted a survey of its residents to help it decide whether to go ahead with the roadside waste collection service.
Poll
To receive or record the votes of
Polling a jury.
Survey
A questionnaire or similar instrument used for examining the opinions of a group of people.
I just filled out that survey on roadside waste pick-up.
Poll
To cast (a vote or ballot).
Survey
(historical) An auction at which a farm is let for a lease for lives.
Poll
To question in a survey; canvass.
Survey
(US) A district for the collection of customs under a particular officer.
Poll
To cut off or trim (hair, horns, or wool, for example); clip.
Survey
To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook
He stood on a hill, and surveyed the surrounding country.
Poll
To trim or cut off the hair, wool, branches, or horns of
Polled the sheep.
Polled the trees.
Survey
To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
Poll
To vote at the polls in an election.
Survey
To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of
It was his job to survey buildings in order to determine their value and risks.
Poll
A survey of people, usually statistically analyzed to gauge wider public opinion.
Survey
To determine the form, extent, position, etc., of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurements, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry
To survey land or a coast
Poll
A formal vote held in order to ascertain the most popular choice.
The student council had a poll to see what people want served in the cafeteria.
Survey
To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same.
Poll
A polling place
The polls close at 8 p.m.
Survey
To investigate the opinions, experiences, etc., of people by asking them questions; to conduct a survey; to administer a questionnaire.
Poll
The result of the voting, the total number of votes recorded. can "poll" also have another sense synonymous with "electoral register"?
Survey
To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook; as, to stand on a hill, and survey the surrounding country.
Round he surveys and well might, where he stood,So high above.
Poll
The head, particularly the scalp or pate upon which hair (normally) grows.
Survey
To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
With such altered looks, . . . All pale and speechless, he surveyed me round.
Poll
(in extended senses of the above) A mass of people, a mob or muster, considered as a head count.
Survey
To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of; as, to survey a building in order to determine its value and exposure to loss by fire.
Poll
The broad or butt end of an axe or a hammer.
Survey
To determine the form, extent, position, etc., of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurments, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry; as, to survey land or a coast.
Poll
The pollard or European chub, a kind of fish.
Survey
To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same.
Poll
A pet parrot.
Survey
The act of surveying; a general view, as from above.
Under his proud survey the city lies.
Poll
One who does not try for honors at university, but is content to take a degree merely; a passman.
Survey
A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of all the parts or particulars of a thing, with a design to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality; as, a survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings.
Poll
(transitive) To take, record the votes of (an electorate).
Survey
The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of, as any part of the earth's surface, whether land or water; also, a measured plan and description of any portion of country, or of a road or line through it.
Poll
(transitive) To solicit mock votes from (a person or group).
Survey
A detailed critical inspection
Poll
(intransitive) To vote at an election.
Survey
Short descriptive summary (of events)
Poll
To register or deposit, as a vote; to elicit or call forth, as votes or voters.
He polled a hundred votes more than his opponent.
Survey
The act of looking or seeing or observing;
He tried to get a better view of it
His survey of the battlefield was limited
Poll
To cut off; to remove by clipping, shearing, etc.; to mow or crop.
To poll the hair; to poll wool; to poll grass
Survey
Consider in a comprehensive way;
He appraised the situation carefully before acting
Poll
(transitive) To cut the hair of (a creature).
Survey
Look over in a comprehensively, inspect;
He surveyed his new classmates
Poll
(transitive) To remove the horns of (an animal).
Survey
Keep under surveillance;
The police had been following him for weeks but they could not prove his involvement in the bombing
Poll
To remove the top or end of; to clip; to lop.
To poll a tree
Survey
Hold a review (of troops)
Poll
To (repeatedly) request the status of something (such as a computer or printer on a network).
The network hub polled the department’s computers to determine which ones could still respond.
Survey
Make a survey of; for statistical purposes
Poll
To be judged in a poll.
Survey
Plot a map of (land)
Poll
(obsolete) To extort from; to plunder; to strip.
Survey
A comprehensive inquiry into a particular subject or demographic.
The archaeological survey documented ancient sites in the region.
Poll
To impose a tax upon.
Poll
To pay as one's personal tax.
Poll
To enter, as polls or persons, in a list or register; to enroll, especially for purposes of taxation; to enumerate one by one.
Poll
(legal) To cut or shave smooth or even; to cut in a straight line without indentation
A polled deed
Poll
(of kinds of livestock which typically have horns) Bred without horns, and thus hornless.
Poll Hereford
Red Poll cows
Poll
A parrot; - familiarly so called.
Poll
One who does not try for honors, but is content to take a degree merely; a passman.
Poll
The head; the back part of the head.
Poll
A number or aggregate of heads; a list or register of heads or individuals.
We are the greater poll, and in true fearThey gave us our demands.
The muster file, rotten and sound, upon my life, amounts not to fifteen thousand poll.
Poll
Specifically, the register of the names of electors who may vote in an election.
Poll
The casting or recording of the votes of registered electors; as, the close of the poll.
All soldiers quartered in place are to remove . . . and not to return till one day after the poll is ended.
Poll
The place where the votes are cast or recorded; as, to go to the polls.
Poll
The broad end of a hammer; the but of an ax.
Poll
The European chub. See Pollard, 3 (a).
Poll
To remove the poll or head of; hence, to remove the top or end of; to clip; to lop; to shear; as, to poll the head; to poll a tree.
When he [Absalom] pollled his head.
His death did so grieve them that they polled themselves; they clipped off their horse and mule's hairs.
Poll
To cut off; to remove by clipping, shearing, etc.; to mow or crop; - sometimes with off; as, to poll the hair; to poll wool; to poll grass.
Who, as he polled off his dart's head, so sure he had decreedThat all the counsels of their war he would poll off like it.
Poll
To extort from; to plunder; to strip.
Which polls and pills the poor in piteous wise.
Poll
To impose a tax upon.
Poll
To pay as one's personal tax.
The man that polled but twelve pence for his head.
Poll
To enter, as polls or persons, in a list or register; to enroll, esp. for purposes of taxation; to enumerate one by one.
Polling the reformed churches whether they equalize in number those of his three kingdoms.
Poll
To register or deposit, as a vote; to elicit or call forth, as votes or voters; as, he polled a hundred votes more than his opponent.
And poll for points of faith his trusty vote.
Poll
To cut or shave smooth or even; to cut in a straight line without indentation; as, a polled deed. See Dee poll.
Poll
To vote at an election.
Poll
An inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
Poll
The top of the head
Poll
The part of the head between the ears
Poll
A tame parrot
Poll
The counting of votes (as in an election)
Poll
Get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
Poll
Vote in an election at a polling station
Poll
Get the votes of
Poll
Convert into a pollard;
Pollard trees
Poll
A method to gauge preferences among limited options.
The exit poll predicted the election's outcome with surprising accuracy.
Poll
A tally of opinions using binary or few choices.
The poll showed a split decision on the proposed change.
FAQs
Do polls and surveys always require multiple participants?
Generally, yes. Both seek to gather diverse opinions or information.
Can both polls and surveys be conducted online?
Yes, both can be administered online, in-person, or through other mediums.
Can a survey be just one question long?
While unusual, a survey can be one question, especially if it seeks detailed feedback.
Which is quicker to complete, a poll or a survey?
A poll is usually quicker due to its simplicity and limited options.
Are poll results always public?
Not necessarily. Poll results can be kept private depending on the intent.
Can a poll have open-ended questions?
Typically, no. Polls usually offer specific choices for quick responses.
Which gives a more comprehensive view, a poll or a survey?
A survey offers a more comprehensive view due to its depth and range of questions.
How are poll results usually presented?
Poll results are often presented as percentages reflecting opinion distribution.
Are polls more popular during elections?
Yes, polls are frequently used in elections to gauge candidate preferences.
Is it mandatory to answer all questions in a survey?
Not always. Some surveys allow skipping questions, while others may require full completion.
Can surveys have a bias?
Yes, survey design or question phrasing can introduce bias, affecting results.
Can a survey help in academic research?
Absolutely. Surveys are a common tool in academic research to gather data.
Can a survey have a mix of question types?
Yes, surveys can include multiple-choice, scales, open-ended questions, and more.
How long can a survey be?
Surveys vary in length, from just a few questions to several pages long.
Are polls reliable indicators of public opinion?
While polls provide insights, they might not always capture the full spectrum of public opinion.
Why might someone choose a poll over a survey?
For quick feedback on a specific topic, a poll might be more suitable.
Is participation in polls and surveys typically anonymous?
Often, but not always. It depends on the nature and intent of the poll or survey.
Can surveys be used by businesses?
Yes, businesses often use surveys to understand customer feedback or market trends.
Do polls have a time limit for participation?
Some polls, especially online or during events, might have a specific time frame.
Which is more likely to offer incentives for participation?
Surveys, especially longer ones, might offer incentives to encourage completion.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
