ABC News' polling methodology and standards

A summary of ABC News polling standards and methodology.

A summary of ABC News polling standards and ABC News/Washington Post polling methodology follows.

ABC News maintains standards for disclosure, validity, reliability and unbiased content in survey research and evaluates surveys being considered for use to establish whether they meet these standards.

On disclosure, in addition to the identities of the research sponsor and field work provider, ABC News requires a detailed statement of methodology, the full questionnaire and complete marginal data. Proprietary research is not exempted.

Methodologically, in all or nearly all cases ABC News requires a probability-based sample, with high levels of coverage of a credible sampling frame. Non-probability, self-selected or so-called "convenience" samples, including internet opt-in, e-mail, "blast fax," call-in, street intercept and non-probability mail-in samples, do not meet ABC News standards for validity and reliability.

ABC News may accept some probability-based surveys that do not meet its own methodological standards but may recommend cautious use of such data, with qualifying language.