T.Vadalazhskaya: Debates between scientists and politicians usually have no sense

The IISEPS poll results, according to which the parliamentary elections’ polling stations were attended by 66.4% of the respondents, are unlikely to be subject to the valid politicians' criticism.

This point of view was expressed by expert of the Humanitarian Techniques Agency, PhD in Sociology Tatiana Vadalazhskaya, in a conversation with the EuroBelarus Information Service.

"Interviewing is being made under a certain methodology, a certain idea of how, what and where the thing is being studied. And there, of course, may be errors. But it's possible to check this all, criticize and try to assess the objectivity of the data", said the expert.

"I do not know how these statements on behalf of the opposition are made, but I believe that there is nothing as objectified or as sound by the procedures as it should be", said the expert.

In her view, the debates between scientists and policy makers do not usually make sense, "because different things are opposed here, - something obtained by certain methods, procedures, and feelings, representations or the need to express a view or a certain position. These are unequal points of view. But, unfortunately, it is generally not the local Belarusan practice, trying to understand deeply what is at the basis of some appeals, both scientific and political ones", stated Tatiana Vadalazhskaya.

Herewith, she stressed, "even if we consider the IISEPS poll results properly collected, properly counted, it does not say anything specifical about the election campaign itself. After all, there is no election in Belarus, because the whole situation before the elections is not in line with the normal political conditions of the electoral process. But this can not be reflected in the polling results of people who voted or didn’t vote", said Tatiana Vadalazhskaya.

She recalled that it is possible to talk about the grounds for distrust of some sociological research only referring to the complete data on how it was conducted.

"But I can say for sure that it is possible to carry out such an investigation only in relation to social research, talking only in relation to it whether the study accurately reflects the processes taking place in society. Nothing like this can be done in relation to the authorities’ statements. This way, a political position is being expressed”, said Tatiana Vadalazhskaya.

"The scientific position is also subject to error. But there are more or less clear grounds for criticism, analysis, and so on. Therefore, if we look at what to rely on, I would rely on scientific evidence, checking the adequacy, accuracy, compliance with all procedures, indicating the boundaries of the interpretation of these data", advised the sociologist.

In her view, the proper politicians’ response to sociological studies, after checking out their competence, running all necessary procedures would be "simply taking note and admitting the real status quo". "And then, on the basis of this situation, discussing their strategies, tactics, and everything else. Actually, this is the meaning of such studies - to reflect the real situation in society", concluded Tatiana Vadalazhskaya.