The document discusses a study that was conducted to identify the factors influencing voters in the community of Bushy Park to vote for particular candidates. A questionnaire was distributed to residents and the results were analyzed. The study found that residents are mainly influenced by party preference and benefits from candidates. It also found that many voters lack confidence in the electoral process. The preferred candidate was found to have experience, though their performance was rated poorly. The study recommends educating voters on the importance of voting and requiring candidates to present manifestos.

1. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
“What are the factors that influence residents in the community of Bushy Park, to vote for a
particular candidate in general elections?”
Research Questions
1. What are the factors that influence the residents of Bushy Park to vote in elections?
2. What are the factors that hinder voter participation?
3. What characteristics do residents looks for in candidates?

2. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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REASON FOR SELECTING THE AREA OF RESEARCH
The researcher has chosen to research the factors that influence voters in Bushy Park to vote for
a particular candidate as Member of Parliament. Everald Warmington has kept his seat for 12
years and she would like to figure out the reason behind this. She hopes to find out why the
members of the community consistently vote for Mr.Warmington and the reason for their
decision to vote. The researcher also hopes to discover the factors that influences and hinders
voters in Bushy Park and the effects of voting on the household. The research will be conducted
in the researcher’s community of Bushy Park located in south west St. Catherine. Bushy Park
consists of approximately 150 household and has a population of approximately 250 persons.

3. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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METHOD OF INVESTIGATION
The method of investigation chosen is a questionnaire. This is a research instrument consisting
of a series of questions and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from
respondents. It will allow the researcher to collect a large amount of data from a wide range of
respondents in a short time period. The questionnaire also presents data in an organized form
which allows ease in analysing and interpreting the data collected.

4. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT
Lot 260 Vineyard Estate,
Bushy Park P.O
St. Catherine,
Jamaica.
August 2, 2014
Dear Respondent,
I am Sashara Eccleston, a fifth form student at Wolmers Trust High School for Girls. The
Caribbean Examination Council (C.X.C) Social Studies syllabus requires me to complete a
School Based Assessment on a topic of my choice. The topic I have chosen is “What are the
factors that influence residence in the community of Bushy Park to vote for a particular
candidate in a general election?”
I am asking kindly for your assistance in providing data via a questionnaire to enable me to
complete my School Based Assessment. All information provided by you will be kept strictly
confidential hence, I ask for all questions to be answered honestly.
Thank you for your assistance.
Yours truly,
____________________________
Sashara Eccleston

5. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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QUESTIONNAIRE
“What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to
vote”
This questionnaire is to identify the different factors that influence voters in the community of
Bushy Park to vote for a particular candidate. Please tick the response that best applies to you.
1. To which age group do you belong?
18-25 26-40 41-over
2. What is you gender?
Female Male
3. In which vicinity of Bushy Park do you live?
Vineyard Estate Old Vineyard Government Land
4. How many year/s have you lived in Bushy Park?
Less than a year 1-5 years 6-10 years over ten years
5. How many times have you participated in general election since living in Bushy Park?
None 1-3 4-6 7 and over
6. Of the list of candidates who ran in the last general election, which do you find the most
favourable?
Carlos Wauls
Betty Ann Blaine
Ras Astor Black
Christopher Irons
Everald Warmington
7. What is the reason for your choice of candidate?
The candidate’s characteristics
Family Tradition
The Benefits that the candidate grants

6. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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Popularity
Candidate Values and Ethics
All of the above
8. What are the characteristics you look for in candidates?
Charisma Experience Morals Wealth
Other___________________________________
9. How would you rate the current Member of Parliament’s performance?
Good Satisfactory Need Improvement Bad
10. Why do you choose to participate in general elections?
To receive benefits
To participate in decision making
To ensure the most capable candidate is elected
To support a particular party
To uphold family tradition
Other Reasons, state _____________________________
11. To what extent do you agree with the statement made by Everald Warmington; "If you
don't vote, you don't count, and you can't ask for government benefits when you refuse to
participate in the governance of your country.”?
Fully Partially Not at all
12. Express you views to the statement in 11 above?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
13. What are the factors that you think hinders voter participation?
Choice of candidate
Lack of proper representation
Lack of confidence in the electoral process
Non-performance of candidates

7. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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Other __________________________________
13. Does your choice of candidate cause conflict in your household?
Very often Not Often Never
14. How does your choice of candidate cause conflict?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
15. Which of the following political parties do you prefer?
People's National Party (PNP)
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)
National Democratic Movement
Jerusalem Bread Foundation
New Nation Coalition
16. What is the reason for your preference of that party?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
17. How would you rate Jamaica’s Electoral system?
Good Satisfactory Need Improvement Bad

8. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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PROCEDURES FOR DATA COLLECTION
The community of Bushy Park has approximately 150 households. A sample size of 20% was
deemed necessary to ensure the sample was a fair representation of the population. The sample
consisted of both male and female over the age of eighteen years who lives in the community
and are registered voters. (20% of 150 = 30)
Forty questionnaires were prepared for distribution to the residence with instruction on how to
complete them. It was estimated that at least thirty of the amount distributed would be returned.
The constituency office was visited on July 30, 2014 at which time the voters list was viewed
and forty names and addresses were randomly selected. After the selection process was
completed the homes were visited on August 2, 2104 and the questionnaires handed out. The
respondents were advised to complete them for collection in two days.
A total of forty (40) questionnaires were distributed to the residence, out of which thirty (30)
were returned. Of these respondents, 50% were male and 50% were female. The data was
tabulated and analysed and the necessary conclusion drawn.

9. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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PRESENTATION OF DATA
Forty of the questionnaires which were distributed and thirty were completed and returned. The
respondents were equally divided, 15 males and 15 females.
The Data collected is being presented using various statistical representations such as a Pie
Chart, a Histogram, Table, and a Bar graph.
Figure 1: Bar graph showing residents reasons for voting.
Source: FieldWork,2014
Figure 1 shows the reason for voting. It can be seen that the most popular reasons is to support a
particular party (10), to receive benefit was next with eight (8) while to ensure the most capable
candidate is elected and to play a part in decision making was third and fourth with seven (7) and
four (4) respectively. Only one (1) person had other reasons for voting.
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
To play apart in descion making
Ensure the most capible candidate is elected
To receive benefits
To Support a particular party
Other reasons
Number of Respondents
ReasonsforVoting
Bar graph showing Residents reasons for voting
41-over
26-40
18-25

10. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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Figure 2: Pie chart showing Preferred Candidate Choice of Residents
Source: Field Work, 2014
The pie chart indicates that Everald Warmington (40%) is the most preferred candidate; Betty
Ann Blaine was next with 27%, followed by Carlos Waul and Christopher Irons with 17% and
13% respectively while Ras Astor Black was fifth with 3%.
17%
27%
3%13%
40%
Pie Chart Showing PreferredCandidate
Choice of Residents
Carlos Waul
Betty Ann Blaine
Ras Astor black
Christopher Irons
Everald Warmington

11. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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Figure 3: Bar graph showing the reasons for voting for a particular candidate
Source: Field Work, 2014
The bar graph shows that female values a candidate’s ethics (6) above all other reasons when
voting. Most male looks at the candidate’s characteristics (4) and popularity (4) while family
tradition ranks next with female (4) and the benefit that the candidate grants (3) with male.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The candidates
Characteristics
Family Tradition The Benefits that
the candidate
grants you
Popularity
(campaign
strategies)
Candidate Values
and Ethics
Numberofrespondents
Reasons for preference
REASONS FOR VOTING FOR A PARTICULAR CANDIDATE
Male
Female

12. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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Table 1: Table showing the characteristics voters look for in a candidate
CHARACTERISTICS LOOKED FOR IN CANDIDATES
Characteristics Number of Respondents
Charisma 4
Experience 15
Morals 5
Wealth 6
Source: Field Work, 2014
It was agreed by all the respondents that they look for certain characteristics in candidates. The
table above indicates where most voters placed emphasis. Fifty percent of the respondents (15)
look for experience when voting for candidate, while six (6) looked for wealth, five (5) morals
and four (4) charisma.
Figure 4: Pie Chart showing the factors that hinders voter participation in the electoral
process
Source: FieldWork, 2014
Choiceof
Candidate
10%
Lack of Proper
representation
20%
Lack of
confidence in
the electoral
process
33%
Non
Performance of
candidates
27%
Other
10%
FACTORS THATHINDERS VOTER PARTICIPATION

13. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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Figure 6 illustrates that 33% of respondents lack confidence in the electoral process, 27% cited
non-performance whereas 20% stayed away because of lack of proper representation, and
equally 10% stated choice of candidate and other reasons.
Figure 5: Bar graph showing the rating of the Member of Parliament’s performance.
Source: Field Work, 2014
The bar graph shows that an equal amount of males (9) and females (9) are of the opinion that
the current Member of Parliament performance is bad. More males (4) than females (3) think
that it needs improvement while both genders (2) are of the same opinion that the performance is
satisfactory. Only one (1) male consider the performance to be good.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Good Satisfactory Needs Improvement Bad
Numberofrespondents
Rating given
Rating of the Current Member of Parliament
Performance
Female
Male

14. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
In today’s society good governance is the key to a stable society and economy. Most of
the persons who were given the questionnaire to complete responded that they vote to support a
particular party as can be seen in figure 1. The information showed that most person participate
in elections just to ensure that their party wins. Only three (3) persons responded that they vote
to play a part in the decision making process and seven (7) responded that they voted to elect the
most capable candidate also seen in figure 1. The data that was collect indicated that most of the
residence in the community of Bushy Park vote for candidates based on the party they represent
ten (10) followed by the benefits they receive eight (8). This illustrates that elections are not fair
but are merely based on party preference.
From the data collected it can be concluded that there are several factors that hinders
voter participation. Figure 4 reveals that 33% of respondents lack confidence in the electoral
process, 27% cited non-performance whereas 20% stayed away because of lack of proper
representation, equally 10% stated choice of candidate and other reasons. Though there are
factors which hinders voter participation those that actually vote have their preferred candidate.
Figure 2 illustrates that the majority of respondents preferred Everald Warmington in comparison
to Betty Ann Blaine 27%, Carlos Waul 17%, Christopher Irons 13% and Ras Astor Black a mere
3%.
Since majority of the respondents preferred that Everald Warmington as their candidate,
seen in figure 2, it is logical to assume that there must be certain characteristics that they look.
Table 1 show that an overwhelming majority (15) of the respondent placed emphasis on the
experience of the candidate thus validating why he was chosen as the preferred candidate.
Whereas six (6) of the respondent looked for wealth, five (5) moral and four (4) charisma.

15. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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Interestingly, though Everald Warmington was the preferred candidate, and has many
years of experience as Member of Parliament Figure 5 shows that an equal amount of male (9)
and female (9) rate his performance as bad. While seven (7) thinks he needs improvement, four
(4) are of the opinion he is performing satisfactorily and one (1) thinks that his performance is
good.
Also, the researcher has learnt that participating in general elections may sometimes
cause conflict in households. In some communities, not in Bushy Park particularly there is
violence because of disagreement with who is the best candidate to be elected. People hardly
consider the candidate’s morals, values or manifestos but are simply electing candidates based on
the party they represent.

16. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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STATEMENT OF FINDINGS
The survey has revealed that there are a number of factors that influence the residents of Bushy
Park to vote for a particular candidate in general election. These include:
1. The majority of residences in Bushy Park are influence to vote based on their party
preference and the benefits they receive from candidates as illustrated by figure 1.
2. Most voters lack confidence in the electoral process and as such do not exercise their
right to vote as seen in figure 4.
3. The residents in Bushy Park desire a candidate who is experience as seen in table 1.
4. Candidates who belong to the two major parties are normally the ones to win in general
elections as residence vote base on popularity of candidates and party and not
performance as shown in figure 3.
5. Females (6) will vote for a particular candidate on the basis of their values and morals;
unlike males (0) as seen in figure 3.

17. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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RECOMMENDATION AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
The survey has revealed that persons in the community need to be more aware of the importance
of the electoral process. The importance of a good electoral system cannot be overemphasized.
The researcher has made the following recommendation based on the findings:
1. In order to maintain good governance and to have free and fair elections the researcher
believes that benefits should not just be given to person who vote for a particular
candidate but to all who need it.
2. She also believes that persons should be educated on the importance of the electoral
process as to ensure that they make educated decision when voting and not just vote
based on which party each candidate belongs, but what the candidate represents.
3. Candidates should present manifestos to their constituent to indicate what they will be
bringing to the table so better decision can be made. There also needs to be a concerted
effort to bring back voter confidence in the electoral process.
Implementations
 The researcher believes that the government should put in place measures to prevent
candidates from giving gifts as a means of soliciting votes.
 The Electoral Office should put on a campaign in the media to educate the electorate on
the importance of taking part in the electoral process.
 Candidates should be required to present their manifestos at town hall meetings.
 Measures should be put in place to bring back voter confidence in the electoral process so
that voter turnout at the polls can be improved.

18. What are the factor that influence voter in the community of Bushy Park to vote
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CONCLUSION
The researcher gather majority of the data presented in this project through the means of a
questionnaire. From the data provided the researcher has discovered that the major factor that
influences voters in Bushy Park to vote for particular candidates is the party the candidate
belongs to and the benefits they receive. The researcher also discovered that majority of the
person who complete the questionnaire chose Member of Parliament Everald Warmington as
candidate of choice and also that person choice of candidate sometimes cause conflict in the
household.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ramsawak, R. Umraw, R. (2001)Modules in Social Studies with S.B.A guide of CXC Questions.
La Romain: Caribbean Educational Publishers Limited.
Lunt, Pat. (2013).Social Studies for CSEC. United Kingdom: Nelson Thrones Limited.