Research Foundation Not Funding Pre-Election Study

The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology is currently funding research on election campaigns, using post- election surveys. Contrary to claims in the National Business Review [19.11.99] the Foundation is not funding pre-election studies.

Under a contract between the Foundation and University of Waikato, a project team led by Professor Jack Vowles is using information from post-election surveys to:

outmonitor the democratic process in New Zealand

outgenerate information about the attitudes, opinions and behaviours of electors and candidates

outanalyse this data and publish the findings.

The Foundation is satisfied that the research undertaken by Professor Vowles is of the highest standard, and his application passed strict tests of scientific excellence.

The Foundation is aware that the project team is also carrying out a pre-election poll based on a relatively small voter sample and that this poll information is being released as information is gathered. This activity is not funded by the Foundation.

The Foundation is responsible for investing more than $300 million per year in research, science and technology. Some of its funds are invested in social and political research, in line with Government priorities.

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