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This is excerpted  from a full-length article on the importance of local academic institutions taking research leadership through regional polls:

Social Climate
The ABCs of survey research capacity

By Mahar Mangahas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Opinion polling tends to be threatening to traditional politicians whose power does not emanate from genuine public trust. A university engaged in survey work is not only research-oriented but also committed to democracy. Democracy should be fostered at both national and local levels. Metro Manila cannot serve as a political barometer for the entire country.

For instance, the scientific way to know the feelings of the Bangsa Moro on autonomy versus independence, or of Kapampangans on the performance of their governor, or of Negrenses about the need for agrarian reform, is for independent institutes in their communities to do their own polls. The Philippine exemplar is the Bohol Poll of the Divine Word University, in Tagbilaran City, which completed its 16th annual survey this year. (sic Divine Word University is now Holy Name University.)

For more, check out http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20090606-209069/The-ABCs-of-survey-research-capacity