Editing Telecommunications forecasting (section)

===Survey methods===

Survey methods are based on the opinions of customers and are thus reasonably accurate if performed correctly. In performing a survey, the survey’s target group needs to be identified.<ref name="goodman">Goodman A., Surveys and Sampling, 7 November 1999 http://deakin.edu.au/~agoodman/sci101/index.html Last accessed 30 January 2005.</ref> This can be achieved by considering why the forecast is being conducted in the first place. Once the target group has been identified, a sample must be chosen. The sample is a sub-set of the target and must be chosen so that it accurately reflects everyone in the target group.<ref name="goodman" /> The survey must then pose a series of questions to the sample group and their answers must be recorded.

The recorded answers must then be analyzed using statistical and analytical methods. The average opinion and the variation about that mean are statistical analytical techniques that can be used.<ref name="goodman" /> The results of the analysis should then be checked using alternative forecasting methods and the results can be published.<ref name="goodman" /> It must be kept in mind that this method is only accurate if the sample is a balanced and accurate subset of the target group and if the sample group has accurately answered the questions.<ref name="goodman" />