Poll vs. Survey — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 21, 2024
Polls typically involve brief questions with limited response options, aiming for quick insights, whereas surveys offer more detailed queries to gather in-depth information.
Difference Between Poll and Survey
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A poll is a method used to quickly gauge public opinion or preference by asking a single, simple question. Surveys, on the other hand, consist of a series of questions designed to collect comprehensive data on a subject.
Polls are often used in media and online platforms to get instant feedback on current events or preferences, whereas surveys are more structured and used in research to understand behaviors, opinions, or demographic characteristics.
The simplicity of polls allows for rapid collection and analysis of data, making them ideal for situations where quick decisions are needed. Surveys require more time for both administration and analysis, given their complexity and depth.
Respondents to polls are usually required to choose from preset answers, limiting their responses. In contrast, surveys can include open-ended questions that allow for more detailed, qualitative feedback.
While polls are effective for gauging immediate reactions or preferences among a large audience, surveys are better suited for exploring complex issues and generating actionable insights through detailed responses.
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Comparison Chart
Question Quantity
One or a few
Many
Question Type
Closed-ended
Both open and closed-ended
Purpose
Quick insight, immediate data
Detailed analysis, comprehensive insight
Time to Complete
Short (usually minutes)
Longer (can be hours)
Analysis
Simple, straightforward
Complex, in-depth
Compare with Definitions
Poll
A short questioning process used to measure public opinion.
A news channel conducted a poll to find out who was the favorite candidate.
Survey
Often involves multiple question types, including qualitative responses.
The market research survey included several open-ended questions.
Poll
Typically uses limited, often binary response options.
The online poll asked whether we supported the new policy or not.
Survey
Used in academic and professional research to gather extensive data.
Researchers conducted a survey to study the impact of diet on health.
Poll
Utilized for rapid decision making.
We used a quick poll to choose the location for our next meeting.
Survey
A detailed series of questions aimed at understanding complex preferences or behaviors.
The survey collected detailed feedback on customer satisfaction.
Poll
Common in media for quick viewer engagement.
The radio station's poll showed that 70% preferred rock music.
Survey
Requires more time to complete and analyze.
Completing the survey took about 30 minutes, covering various aspects of consumer behavior.
Poll
A method to gather immediate feedback on a single question.
The teacher used a poll to decide which movie to watch.
Survey
Can be tailored to specific demographic groups to gather targeted insights.
The agency conducted a survey among teens to understand their shopping habits.
Poll
The casting and registering of votes in an election.
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 number of votes cast or recorded.
Survey
To look at or examine carefully and appraise
Surveyed the storm damage. ].
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
The act of surveying; a general view.
Poll
A place where votes are cast and registered
I went to the polls before work to cast a vote.
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
A survey of the public or of a sample of public opinion to acquire information.
Survey
The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of any part of the Earth's surface.
Poll
The head, especially the top of the head where hair grows.
Survey
A measured plan and description of any portion of country.
The owners of the adjoining plots had conflicting surveys.
Poll
The blunt or broad end of a tool such as a hammer or axe.
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 (a given number of votes).
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 receive or record the votes of
Polling a jury.
Survey
(historical) An auction at which a farm is let for a lease for lives.
Poll
To cast (a vote or ballot).
Survey
(US) A district for the collection of customs under a particular officer.
Poll
To question in a survey; canvass.
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 cut off or trim (hair, horns, or wool, for example); clip.
Survey
To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
Poll
To trim or cut off the hair, wool, branches, or horns of
Polled the sheep.
Polled the trees.
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
To vote at the polls in an election.
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 survey of people, usually statistically analyzed to gauge wider public opinion.
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 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 investigate the opinions, experiences, etc., of people by asking them questions; to conduct a survey; to administer a questionnaire.
Poll
A polling place
The polls close at 8 p.m.
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 result of the voting, the total number of votes recorded. can "poll" also have another sense synonymous with "electoral register"?
Survey
To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
With such altered looks, . . . All pale and speechless, he surveyed me round.
Poll
The head, particularly the scalp or pate upon which hair (normally) grows.
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
(in extended senses of the above) A mass of people, a mob or muster, considered as a head count.
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 broad or butt end of an axe or a hammer.
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
The pollard or European chub, a kind of fish.
Survey
The act of surveying; a general view, as from above.
Under his proud survey the city lies.
Poll
A pet parrot.
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
One who does not try for honors at university, but is content to take a degree merely; a passman.
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 take, record the votes of (an electorate).
Survey
A detailed critical inspection
Poll
(transitive) To solicit mock votes from (a person or group).
Survey
Short descriptive summary (of events)
Poll
(intransitive) To vote at an election.
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 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
Consider in a comprehensive way;
He appraised the situation carefully before acting
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
Look over in a comprehensively, inspect;
He surveyed his new classmates
Poll
(transitive) To cut the hair of (a creature).
Survey
Keep under surveillance;
The police had been following him for weeks but they could not prove his involvement in the bombing
Poll
(transitive) To remove the horns of (an animal).
Survey
Hold a review (of troops)
Poll
To remove the top or end of; to clip; to lop.
To poll a tree
Survey
Make a survey of; for statistical purposes
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
Plot a map of (land)
Poll
To be judged in a poll.
Poll
(obsolete) To extort from; to plunder; to strip.
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
Common Curiosities
Are polls less accurate than surveys?
Polls can be less accurate due to their simplicity and the limited depth of information they collect.
Can both polls and surveys be done online?
Yes, both can be conducted online, though polls are more common on social media and websites for instant engagement.
Which is quicker to complete, a poll or a survey?
A poll is quicker to complete, often requiring only seconds to a few minutes.
Is a poll better for public engagement?
Yes, polls are excellent for engaging a large audience quickly and easily.
What types of questions are found in polls?
Polls typically include closed-ended questions where respondents select from given options.
Why would a researcher choose a survey over a poll?
A researcher might choose a survey for detailed insights and comprehensive analysis of a topic.
What is the main difference between a poll and a survey?
A poll is quick and asks only a few simple questions, while a survey is more detailed and comprehensive.
Can a survey include a poll?
Yes, surveys can include poll-like questions as part of their broader set of questions.
Do surveys take longer to analyze than polls?
Yes, due to their complexity and the volume of data, surveys take longer to analyze.
What types of questions are found in surveys?
Surveys may include both open-ended and closed-ended questions, providing more depth.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
