A new course has been launched for working journalists in a bid to tackle poor quality reporting on polls.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists has announced the launch of the free e-learning course on how to read, interpret and report on polling data.

It also examines common mistakes, including drawing the wrong conclusions from data, reporting polls based on small or insufficient data samples, not observing margins of error and failing to scrutinise surveys for potential bias.

The scheme, available via the NCTJ’s Journalism Skills Academy, has been launched in response to concerns expressed by a Select Committee on Political Polling and Digital Media about the quality of the reporting of polls in the media.

Joanne Butcher, pictured, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “We wanted to tackle poor quality reporting on polls and surveys because of the importance to democracy and the impact it can have on individuals, groups and organisations.

“It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with the British Polling Council and Market Research Society because they share our commitment to transparency, accuracy and best practice. This is what we all want in the reporting of polls and surveys.

“This free resource is a positive and practical step in ensuring journalists have the skills to report opinion poll data accurately and informatively to the public.”

The course has been developed with the British Polling Council and Market Research Society.

BPC president Professor Sir John Curtice said: “Polling companies do their best to provide an accurate picture of the public mood – but they are reliant on journalists to provide informed and accurate coverage of their polls.

“This course will help every journalist to make the best use of polls, while avoiding the potential pitfalls.”

Jane Frost, chief executive of the MRS, added: “Public trust in research and insight is a major issue at the moment and the misreporting of polls is a big part of the challenge we face to improve that.

“Misconceptions about polls have a serious knock-on impact on political, commercial and public confidence in our sector.

“Equally, I believe that understanding polls is an important factor in combatting fake news and, as such, I’m very pleased that MRS has launched this new course with the NCTJ and British Polling Council.”