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Thread ID: 89721	2008-05-09 22:06:00	Man-in-the-street polls	Roscoe (6288)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
667790	2008-05-09 22:06:00	Not infrequently, we hear of another poll, where the “man-in-the-street” is asked his opinion on the current subject of the day. Do you ever wonder who the “man-in-the-street” is? Certainly not you or me. But somehow they produce figures to prove or disprove their point. But have you ever thought how the outcome might be changed by the way they ask the question? “Good morning, sir. Are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?” “Yes.” “Do you think there is a lack of discipline and vigorous training in our high schools?” “Yes.” “Do you think young people welcome some structure and leadership in their lives?” “Yes.” “Do they respond to a challenge?” “Yes.” “Might you be in favour of reintroducing Compulsory Military Training?” “Yes.” Naturally he said yes. One could hardly have said anything else without looking inconsistent. Then what happens is that the Opinion Poll People only publish the last question and answer. But what if you conducted the same poll with a slightly different preamble? “Good morning, sir. Are you worried about the dangers of war?” “Yes.” “Are you unhappy about the growth of armaments?” “Yes.” “Do you think that there is a danger in giving young people guns and teaching them how to kill?” “Yes.” “Do you think it wrong to force people to take up arms against their will?” “Yes.” “Would you oppose the reintroduction of Compulsory Military Training?” “Yes.” You see? He said yes before he realised what he had said – the perfect Balanced Sample from the man-in-the-street. :D And once again the Opinion Poll People only publish the last question and answer.	Roscoe (6288)
667791	2008-05-09 23:02:00	Probibly the same with the TV ones. They probibly show only the ones that they want there views put across. :)	Trev (427)
667792	2008-05-09 23:52:00	Mmmnn - interesting Roscoe!! Might try that method on SWMBO about replacing my notebook. Estimate my chances please... :thanks Ken	kenj (9738)
667793	2008-05-09 23:56:00	I always wonder who are the people that are involved in polls that you see on the news, Ive never met anyone who has participated.	rob_on_guitar (4196)
667794	2008-05-10 00:10:00	Mmmnn - interesting Roscoe!! Might try that method on SWMBO about replacing my notebook. Estimate my chances please... :thanks Ken Practically nil. All SWMBOs have a built in radar that detects anything untoward. Unfortunately, you don't stand a chance! Us husbands are a sorry lot.:waughh:	Roscoe (6288)
667795	2008-05-10 00:49:00	context is the key, but the second questions are misleading. The introduction of the subject matter is not clear and you still have the vision of street kids with guns, not disciplined trained soldiers.	rob_on_guitar (4196)
667796	2008-05-10 01:06:00	context is the key, but the second questions are misleading . The introduction of the subject matter is not clear and you still have the vision of street kids with guns, not disciplined trained soldiers . Certainly . But the object of the exercise is to elicit the answer you require, which is why they are misleading . But then perhaps you were not around when Compulsory Military Training was a reality . I just used that as an example . Change the subject matter to whatever you want to ask questions about and the answer that you require . Ken has grasped the idea . Unfortunately he wants to use it on his SWMBO and miracles are not my forté . ;)	Roscoe (6288)
667797	2008-05-10 01:08:00	.... Yes! &-S Err yeah, I've never met anyone that has taken part in any polls, how does their sampling system work anyway? I'm not sure exactly how they conduct these tests, but I really hope they do not conduct it in the manner that they literally go to the 'man-in-the-street' at random and start asking such questions. How many people randomly approached on the street will have the time to actually think about the question? Are they asked near other people? Is it possible they may respond dishonestly for fear they may be classed as an x type of person by others? Of course the way questions are asked can also achieve answers that can be interpreted to support any side of an argument.	Deathwish (143)
667798	2008-05-10 01:48:00	Of course the way questions are asked can also achieve answers that can be interpreted to support any side of an argument. My point exactly! Same question, different answer depending on how you ask the question. Who said this boy was silly?:cool:	Roscoe (6288)
667799	2008-05-10 02:41:00	Err yeah, I've never met anyone that has taken part in any polls. Well I have. Not a political poll or by a News channel. But I have done a couple mostly on products. Anyway we do polls here all the time.:clap	pctek (84)
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