The Center for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies at Kuwait University organized a workshop titled "Opinion Polls: Methodology and Implementation Methods," presented by Professor of International Relations and member of the Center’s Board of Directors, Dr. Ghanem Hamad Al-Najjar. The workshop was held in Sabah Al-Salem University City and attended by the Acting Director of the Center, Dr. Yaqoub Youssef Al-Kandari.
The workshop aimed to clarify the methodology and importance of opinion polls and to explain the scientific and methodological approaches followed by the Center for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies in preparing and conducting polls. The goal was to enhance participants' understanding of how to collect data accurately and reliably, improve the quality of future surveys to better reflect reality, and support decision-making processes based on scientific evidence.
In this context, Dr. Ghanem Al-Najjar emphasized that this workshop is part of the second series of discussions on the results of the opinion poll conducted by the Center in cooperation with the Peace Research Center, Princeton University, and Harvard University. He explained that the poll is conducted annually or biennially and covers several issues. He also noted that the first paper saw significant engagement with the results, which encouraged opening up discussions and expanding participation to improve internal operations and services offered to users.
For his part, Acting Director of the Center Dr. Yaqoub Al-Kandari praised Dr. Ghanem Al-Najjar’s leadership in conducting the largest opinion poll organized in Kuwait, in collaboration with Harvard and Princeton Universities, the Peace Research Center in Kuwait, and the Center for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies. He stressed that an opinion poll is not merely a set of random questions, but rather a methodological process that requires selecting a suitable sample that reflects the reality to be measured. It also involves applying precise scientific methods compatible with the sample type and the subject of the poll. He explained that the topic itself determines the implementation methodology, and that the poll conducted in Kuwait is part of a unified Arab survey involving 12 Arab countries. The survey was adapted to reflect the specific characteristics of Kuwaiti society and ensure its localization in line with the local culture. He added that the process was carried out according to strict scientific standards to ensure the reliability of the results, affirming that confidence in the poll results is high due to the rigorous methodology used.
The workshop also included a Q&A session with several inquiries and discussions.