ABOUT THE ABAC Poll RESEARCH CENTER
Assumption University of Thailand

The Preamble to ABAC Poll Research Center
ABAC is an acronym for the Assumption Business Administration College, a forerunner of Assumption University (AU). The ABAC Poll Research Center was established by Rev.Dr.Prathip M. Komolmas in 1997.


ABAC Poll conducts polls to gather the opinions, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and other social information from a sample group of individuals. These polls serve a variety of purposes and are conducted by telephone, mail, from websites, or in person. Unlike a census, where all members of the population are studied, polls gather information from only a portion of the population of interest -- the size of the sample depends on the study's purpose. In an authentic poll, the sample is carefully selected using a method that assures equal opportunity of selection amongst people of various classes (social, economic, political, etc.). This way, the results can be reliably projected from the sample to the larger population. Information is collected by means of standardized procedures so that every individual is asked the same questions in more or less the same way. The poll's intent is not to describe the particular individuals who, by chance, are part of the sample but to obtain a composite profile of the population.


Some of the ABAC Poll's clients include: The Ministry of Public Health, The Office of Thai Health Promotion, The Office of the Prime Minister, The Office of National Health System Reform, The Office of the Narcotics Control Board, The Ministry of Justice, The Ministry of Finance, The Bank of Government Housing, other nondisclosable private companies, and domestic and international news/media agencies.


ABAC Poll Vision
ABAC Poll envisions itself as:
  • A world class academic and social research center
  • Dedicated to the interdisciplinary social science research of public interest
  • Engaged in the integrity of research scientists
  • Having advanced knowledge of public opinion and behavior through empirical research
  • Brightened by Assumption University policy and resources
This vision is accomplished through the collective efforts of our faculty and staff members and is guided by our culture and values of Knowledge, Research, Education, Services, Respect, Trust, Precision, Accuracy, Efficiency, and Leadership.


ABAC Poll Missions
The ABAC Poll accomplishes its missions through:
  • Hard work through the collective efforts of our faculty and staff members
  • Continuously conducting research, creating/searching knowledge, giving/receiving education, having a focus in service
  • Maintaining ABAC Poll as a research network for both domestic and international affairs
  • Respecting human rights and the dignity of research participants
  • Effectively utilizing the limited resources for achieving its academic ultimate goals


OUR CULTURE AND VALUES



What We Serve : งานบริการของเอแบคโพลล์
  • Satisfaction Surveys
  • Surveys on Happiness at workplace
  • Qualitative research methods (e.g., focus group discussion, observation) : การวิจัยเชิงคุณภาพ เช่น การสนทนากลุ่ม การสังเกตุ และการสัมภาษณ์เจาะลึก
  • Mystery Shopper : ลูกค้านิรนาม / ปริศนา
  • Real-time TV rating estimate : การประมาณการจำนวนผู้ชมรายการโทรทัศน์ แบบปัจจุบันทันด่วน
  • Marketing research (e.g., consumer attitude and behavior, consumer satisfaction, test marketing, and retail audit) : การวิจัยตลาด
  • Social research (e.g., public health, education, economy, population, political, electoral, and organizational studies, entertainment, and sports) : การวิจัยสังคม
  • Evaluation research : การวิจัยประเมินผล
  • Participatory Action Research : การวิจัยเชิงปฏิบัติการแบบมีส่วนร่่วม
  • Deliberative Poll / Survey : การทำโพลล์ / วิจัยเชิงสำรวจแบบเวทีประชาเสวนาถกแถลง
  • Panel / Longitudinal Study : การศึกษาวิจัยแบบต่อเนื่อง
  • Modeling and analytical research
  • Highly specialized surveys (monitoring the quality of Thai youth, the surveys of consumers, Bangkok area study, monitoring household economy, election, and exit polls)
  • Other services (e.g., formally training the next generation of pollsters and survey methodologists, research clinic, survey seminal organization, consultation of clients about survey methodologies, constructing questionnaires, collecting, processing, and analyzing data) : บริการอื่น ๆ เช่น การฝึกอบรม การให้คำแนะนำปรึกษา และคลินิกงานวิจัย


Who We Serve : กลุ่มผู้ใช้บริการเอแบคโพลล์
  • Government agencies : หน่วยงานราชการ
  • Business companies : บริษัท / องค์กรธุรกิจ
  • Non-government organizations : องค์กรภาคเอกชน
  • Academicians and students : นัิกวิชาการและนักศึกษา
  • Mass media : สื่อมวลชน


ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
The ABAC Poll is a unit consists of 90 - 100 people, depending on the workload. 1200 temporary officers across the country have supported this team. Heads of projects have various Ph.D. and master degrees in statistics, sociology, survey methodology, economics, political science, public health, psychology, information technology, marketing, and business administration. The overall objectives are as follows:
  • To support academic freedom in the progress of surveys and polls.
  • To gather an accurate information from a sample of individuals and present them to public organizations and private businesses.
Under the direction of Assumption University's Rector and the Chairman of ABAC-KSC, the ABAC POLL researchers have academically conducted all of the steps necessary to a poll management.


RESEARCH TEAM

          Noppadon received a PhD in Computer and Engineering Management from Assumption University. He majored in Survey Methodology at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and received a master's degree in the year 2004. His course work included Complex Survey Data Analysis, Public Opinion, Questionnaire Design, Data Collection Methods, Survey Sampling, Statistics, Total Survey Errors, Survey Management, Cognition Communication and Survey Measurement, Seminar on Survey Design, Detroit Area Study (Housing Market, Income Inequality and Poverty, Discrimination, and Crime Surveys), Social Networks and Social Support on Public Health, and Behavioral Research in Public Health. He also received many certificates in quantitative and qualitative approaches (e.g., survey sampling, focus group discussion, survey sampling for statistician) from the University of Michigan. He has participated in several of the U of M's research projects (e.g., survey cost modeling, the national survey of American life).

          He has worked for the practical research of instructional improvement (i.e., the Consortium for Policy Research in Education, CPRE), which unites researchers from five of the USA leading research institutions-Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

          He attended Thammasat University and received another Master's degree in Sociology in 1994. He received a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Ramkhamhaeng University and a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy (1st honor) from Saengtham College in 1990.

    Current Positions:
  • Director of the ABAC POLL Research Center, Assumption University
  • Research Advisor registered at the Thai Consultant Database Center, The Ministry of Finance
  • Research Advisor, The Office of Thai Health Promotion
  • Research Advisor, The Office of Narcotics Control Board, The Ministry of Justice
  • Research Consultant for private businesses
  • Director and Chairman of The Public Opinion Section

           Mr. Tanapat received a Master of Arts in Sociology from Thammasat University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology degree from Chiang Mai University. He also serves as the Head of Research Advisors, both at the Education Center at Assumption University and in the social and marketing divisions of many companies and organizations. He gives lectures on the subjects of, "Conducting Poll Concerning Thai Society", "Statistic and Survey Research", and "Techniques of Survey Research". He runs the Survey Research of money circulation in football gambling and in underground football casinos.
           In the future, he hopes to do research the index indicator of social risks such as gambling and the use of illegal substances. He also hopes to correct the marginal errors in the related research instruments.

           Mr. Thewin received a Master of Arts in Sociology from Thammasat University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Development degree from Khon Kaen University. He has experience as the Chief of the Matichon Research Department at the Matichon Newspaper and has written articles for many newspapers such as The Daily Matichon, Bangkok Business, etc. He has served as the Research Advisor for: The Academic Information Committee for the Office of Narcotics Control Board of Thailand, The Supporting Fund for Health Development, and The National Health Insurance Department. He presents this information to the public as both a debate moderator and lecturer at educational institutions and client organizations. He assesses research projects for both government and private organizations, and conducts the survey research of citizen's opinions toward politics and social issues. He also conducts survey research in the awareness of public relations while writing and analyzing the public research for communication media to review in the public through research reports, articles, and analyzing reports. Mr. Thewin plans to improve the citizen opinion research, participate in international survey research, embark on creating a good society, and understanding the truth of life.

           Ms. Siripan received her Master of Arts in Sociology from Thammasat University and Bachelor of Arts in Social Development degree from Khon Kaen University. She has also obtained a certificate in Qualitative Survey Research from The University of Michigan. She has experience in conducting Qualitative Survey Researches for private companies and agencies, including The Thai Health Promotion Foundation, The National Health Security Office (Ministry of Public Health), The Family's Network (the Rama Hospital), and other private companies. She is currently interested in studying the use and misuse of computers with Qualitative Data and the Focus Group Discussion.

           Ms. Natenapist received a Master of Science in Population and Development from NIDA. She is very skilled in using the SPSS program in data analyzing and polling. She is in charge of the survey research project for the Office of Narcotics Control Board. She is interested in conducting a survey of Population Studies, Data Processing in the Social Research and Poll Development. Moreover, she is the assistant in studying the methodological issues pertaining to the response and non-response rates in survey research.

           Ms. Srisuda received a Master of Science in Applied Statistics from NIDA and a Bachelor of Science in Statistic from Khon Kaen University. The Assistant Director is experienced in conducting surveys. She has conducted research with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation in the following projects:

  • Youth awareness and their problems towards love and emotion.
  • Measuring the expenses of smoking.
  • Evaluating the Police Force's response to car accidents.
  • The public's opinion towards the prohibition of alcohol beverages on television.
  • Evaluating the campaign to stop drinking alcohol during the Buddhist Lent, 2003.

           She is currently interested in She is currently interested in researching the sampling process as well as sample forecasting, surveying the behavior and lifestyle of the Thai youth, and surveying social discrimination.

           Mr. Chirasak received a Master of Science in Population and Development from NIDA and a Bachelor of Science in Statistic degree from Srinakharinwirot University. He specializes in the use of a mapping system to perform the sampling process during the senator's election in 2000, the Bangkok's governor election and the general election (2001). Currently, he is developing a mapping system for sampling and advancing the quality of field surveys.

           Mr. Pornpop received a Master of Science in Statistics from Kasetsart University and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics degree from King Mongkut Institute. He also obtained a certificate of Survey Sampling for the researcher from the University of Michigan. For the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, he has conducted research that estimated the amount of drug users and a survey for the non-response rate pertaining to the drug problem. He is interested in studying Deff. and Variance from the Sampling Process in survey research polls.

           Ms. Amata received a Master of Science in Statistics from Chulalongkorn University. She is in charge of sampling, assessing, and analyzing the results at the research center. She has worked with experts on projects pertaining to such areas as the drug problem, crime, and etc. Her Research Projects Include:

  • Predicting the election result (2001), Nakornsri Thammarat, Trang, and Pattalung provinces.
  • Surveying behavior during telephone use (2001 to 2004).
  • Conducting the Survey project of "Person of the year 2002".
  • The 30 baht Project (2003 to 2004), etc.

          She is designing a sampling program, creating models to examine corruption, and studying methods of applying statistics to research projects.

           Ms. Naruemol received a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Banking from Assumption University. She is responsible for conducting marketing research. She has conducted marketing research in consumer goods for many companies, as well as having researched the investment condition of foreign businessmen and investors in South East Asia. She hopes to further her knowledge of how to conduct marketing research and the use of the questionnaire in survey research.

           Mr. Suriyan received a Master of Public Administration in Public Policy from Burapha University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology degree from Thammasat University. He conducts all of the work regarding Research Methodology. He has worked with the consultants team of the Office of The Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) to evaluate the Integration Provincial Administration Strategy, with the Good Governance for Social and Environment Institute (GSE) to study the policy implementation in project of the hazardous waste disposal in the East, and has cooperated with the Ministry of Public Health to study the decentralization of public health in Local Organizations. He has conducted research about Management Conflicts in the Waste Disposal Center project: A case study of Chonburi Province. Currently, he is interested in studying the fields of policy.

           Mr. Amram received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication degree from Ramkhamhaeng University. His current charges include data analysis, data processing, and preparing work for presentations. He is interested in studying the research methodology of both government agencies and private organizations.

           Ms. Ubolrat received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Management degree from Ramkhamhaeng University. She is responsible for correlating field work and office work. She hopes to further her study in research marketing.

           Ms. Benchaporn received a Bachelor of Business Administration in General Management degree from Ramkhamhaeng University. She is responsible for arranging security for field-research expeditions. She is interested in studying survey research methodology and collecting data.

          Ms. Sakulrat received her Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and Guidance and Bachelor of Education in Computer Science degree from Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. She conducted the survey project on the Moral Status in Thai Society. She uses her expertise in every project that requires psychological knowledge and creates survey measurement through psychological questions. She is interested in the psychological and on social science surveys.

           Ms. Champa received a High Certificate of Accounting from Srivikorn Business School. She is responsible for supporting the survey research of the housewife's opinion towards status and the family's problems with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

          Mr. Naruebeth received a Master of Science in Industrial Psychology from Kasetsart University. His current research interests include: Social Research Methodology and determining the best methods used to eliminate marginal errors; the Behavioral Research of individuals, groups, and organizations; the leadership in national organizations; successful performance methods; and the advanced equipment and technology that will increase an individual's potential.

          Ms. Jirawadee received a Master of Science in Decision Support Systems from Ramkhamhaeng University and Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology North Bangkok. Her work generally involves controlling field research, finding databases and analyzing data. She has researched the government agencies and private companies and has conducted public polls. She is interested in researching the Decision Support System.

          Ms. Sirinporn received a Master of Science in Statistics from NIDA and Bachelor of Science in Statistics from Burapha University. Her research generally involves the Sampling Technique, coordinating with Project Managers, and collecting data. Her current research includes the Satisfaction of Government officers around Bangkok.

           Ms. Wilas received a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from Ramkhamhaeng University. She is in charge of accounting as well as conducting marketing research for many private companies.

           Ms. Orraphin received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Ramkhamhaeng University. She is responsible for supervising and controlling the quality of field surveys and manages the office to maintain efficiency. In her research, she has evaluated the Strong Province's Drug War project, and contributed to surveying the "Quality of Life for Thai Women" She is interested in improving the standard and quality of field surveys.

           Mr. Wittawat received Bachelor of Science Information Technology from Krirk University. He has experience in managing and maintaining the computer systems and networks. He operates the voicekeeper, newsdigest, itmovement, technodigest, and other websites around the center. He also serves as a Lecturer at the Occasional Training Center in Singburi and an Assistant Lecturer at the ABAC Poll. In the future, he hopes to educate those at the ABAC Poll to use new technologies more proficiently, creating additional websites, and protecting the center's data from harmful virus infiltration.

           Mr. Chakree received a Master of Science in Computer Engineering from Assumption University. He has experience in managing computer systems and networks through the use of a server that can run on many platforms. He is the senior webmaster of the ABAC Poll's website. He is in charge of controlling the computer system and computer servers within the center, handling projects that concern information technology, and coordinating Q&A's to guarantee excellence at the ABAC Poll. He has served as a Co-coordinator at the ABAC Poll since 2002. In the future, he hopes to develop the quality of the ABAC Poll's website and the stability and efficiency rate of the computer system, train the IT officers to provide the best computer services, and participate in the center's Technology Research.

           Mr. Jackrit received a Bachelor of Computer Engineering and Master of Science in Computer Information Systems from Assumption University. He is in charge of IT staff and handling and developing the computer system and computer servers at the Huamark Office. He is excellent at giving advice and resolving problems pertaining to the system's hardware and software. He is interested in learning about new technologies, especially Data Centralization and Database Design which can be applied at the organization's advantage.

           Mr. Pakarin received a Bachelor of Computer Engineering from Assumption University. He is in charge of IT staff and controlling the computer systems and computer servers at the Bang Na Office. He is experienced in using such platforms as: Photoshop 7.0 and Adobe Golive 6.0, and the Macromedia Flash MX 2004 program. Also, he is very good at resolving both Hardware and Software problems. He creates and develops a lot of websites concerning research courses, including: Individual Research (BF.6993), Research Methodology (IB.6003/IM.6001), Quantitative Analysis for Management (BP.6901), and Web Survey. He plans to further his study in fields that would be advantageous for the organization.

           Ms. Supaporn received a Bachelor of Business Administration in General Management from Suan Disit Rajaphat University. She is responsible for coordinating with people both inside and outside of the university, preparing seminars, and managing the office documents. In the future, she hopes to study for a Master's degree in Information Technology or a related field that would be advantageous for the organization.

 THE POLLING IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS
The ABAC Poll can guarantee a survey of statistical quality by providing various sound methodologies to its clients. The methodologies in each poll are determined by experts in survey methodologies, including: conceptual framework, questionnaire design, pre-testing methods (e.g., think aloud, probing, test-retest), data collection methods (e.g., face-to-face interviewing, mail, phone, and web surveys), sampling methods (e.g., SRS, systematic, stratified sampling, stratified cluster sampling, area sampling), and complex survey data analyses (e.g., t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square, Wald statistics, Odd Ratio, Logistic Regression Analysis, Multiple Regression Analysis, design effect (DEFF), statistical weighting).


RESOURCE BASE
The surveys and polls demand an investment in human resources, time and cost. Researchers, statisticians, supervisors, and data collectors are based inside and outside the university.


ABAC Poll maintains 3 web sites at:

www.websurvey.au.edu
www.abacpoll.com
www.abacpoll.au.edu

Thaiconsult

          ABAC Poll has two main offices, which are located at Assumption University both in Huamark Campus and Suvarnabhumi Campus. Note: More information, contact ABAC Poll, Assumption University.
Tel: (662) 7191549 - 50 ABAC Poll at Hua-Mark Campus
Fax: (662) 7191546 - 8
Tel: (662) 7070401-3 ABAC Poll at Bangna Campus
Fax: (662) 7232156-9

Email: abacpoll@au.edu





Copyright (c) 1999 ABAC Poll Research Center, Assumption University. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission
of ABAC Poll Research Center is prohibited.