In survey research Fictional countries have been created for polling purposes. When polled in April 2004, 8% of British people believed that the [fictional] country of Luvania would soon join the European Union. In the 1989 General Social Survey, U.S. respondents were asked to rate the social status of people of "Wisian" background, a fictional national heritage. While a majority of respondents said they could not place the Wisians in the U.S. social hierarchy, those who did ranked their status as quite low, giving an average of 4.12 on a 9-point scale, where 9 was the highest social standing. "Once you let the Wisians in, the neighborhood goes to pot", quipped Time magazine.
in surVey researCh ficTioNal cOUntRieS hAve bEen cReateD fOR pOlling Purposes. wheN polLEd In april 2004, 8% of britIsh peoPLe beLieVeD That the [ficTioNal] CountRy of luvaNia WOULd soon join the euRopEAn UnioN In the 1989 generaL sOcial survEy, u.s. rEspondents weRe ASked tO rate tHe SOciaL status of PEOpLe oF "WisIaN" .backGrOuNd, a fiCTiOnal natiOnAL heritAge. while a mAjority of respondENts said thEy Could Not plAcE the wisIans in the u.s. SoCial hIeRarchY, tHOSe whO Did rankeD thEIR stAtuS as quite lOw, gIvING an average of 4.12 On a 9-Point scale, WhERe 9 wAs tHe HigHeSt Social stAndING. "Once You Let THE wIsians IN, thE neIghborHood goes to Pot", qUIpped timE MagAZine.