The team of academics who, until recently, worked as members of the Stone Poll Organisation, yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to conducting research in a professional manner, saying that to do otherwise would affect their reputation and integrity, both individually and collectively.

In a press release to the Observer, the team, led by Professor Ian Boxill, also explained their working relationship with Gorstew, the owners of the Stone Poll Organisation, and maintained that at no time was there any discussion between them and Gorstew about a breach of confidentiality relating to the polls conducted last month.

Following is the full text of their statement.

“In the latter half of 2006, members of the former Stone Poll Team were approached to conduct polls for Gorstew Limited, the owners of the Stone Poll Organisation, with the expectation that the results would be published in the Observer newspaper.

The team was assembled because of the expertise and the integrity of the members. The members of the team were Professor Ian Boxill (Polling Team Leader), Mr Roy Russell (Statistician), Dr Lawrence Powell (Questionnaire Constructor), Ms Arlene Bailey (Data Manager) and Dr Lloyd Waller (Field Manager). All of the members of the team are full-time academics with many years of research experience.

Led by its manager, Ms Wyvolyn Gager, and its technical head, Professor Ian Boxill, the team conducted three polls in 2006 and one in May/June 2007 on behalf of the Organisation. The conduct of the polls was successful in each case and the results were submitted to the owners of Stone Organisation.

In May 2007, as in the previous three polls of 2006, the team acted professionally and ethically both in its conduct of the poll and in the submission of the results to the owners of the Stone Poll Organisation.

The team conducted polls only when requests were made by the owners.

Regarding the issue of termination of the working relationship of the team with the Stone Poll Organisation, it is (also) important to point out that the Team was hired on an ad hoc basis to conduct each poll. During the course of these events, the Stone Team maintained an excellent working relationship with the owners of the poll.

In a meeting with the owners of the Stone Poll Organisation, the leader of the Team was advised that the polls would be suspended due to business considerations. At no time in our meetings, discussions and e-mail communications was there mention by the owners of the Stone Poll Organisation that a breach of confidentiality had taken place by members of the Team.

As academic researchers, we find it necessary to reaffirm our commitment to freedom of inquiry, and to conducting research which is of the highest quality – objective, transparent and consistent with the professional ethics associated with social science research. This is very important as to do otherwise would affect our reputation and integrity both individually and collectively.

We are thankful for the opportunity to make a contribution to our nation, and we hope that our example will inspire others to continue to uphold the integrity and proud tradition of polling as pioneered by the late Professor Carl Stone.”