RE: chruch reject gay poll

[Tom Stuart]

My first degree was in Social Science.  In an undergraduate course I learned sufficient about issues of sampling, issues of research ethics, and question preparation, to realise that the Alliance "survey" failed in all areas.   Stephen Esterby is quoted in the SMH as saying, "the alliance - a coalition of conservatives and others unhappy at the process the national assembly followed in July - had been told of leaders who tried to ban or dissuade members from taking part in its survey. "Do they believe this survey will reveal a truth they would prefer remained hidden?" he asked."   Well, my thoughts at the time were that all those people who listed their names as supporting the survey who had "Dr" before their name must feel a good deal of embarrassment, and SHOULD feel quilt.  For having done a doctorate they surely should have learned about research methods.  They should also realise that the methods and content of the survey failed to meet true standards of a "survey".   A number of perhaps silly thoughts came into my mind at the time:   1.  They must be so blinded by their passion for this subject that they have let go of their professionalism. 2.  I would like to take them to court for failure of their professionalism. 3.  That they are doing the lowest trick of knowing how improper a research tool the survey was yet use their titles to fool the lay person into thinking it carried the same standards as other scientific surveys. 4.  That this survey puts all other scientific research into poor light.   I would have not been concerned about their endeavour if they did another petition.  That is not an attempt to veil the intent.  But to call their product a survey is a claim for scientific rigour which this questionnaire lacked.   I asked some how they endeavoured to get a true sample for the survey.  As if they had no idea what I was talking about they explained to me that they asked people to fill it in who they thought would "agree with the sentiments of the survey"!!!!!!!  And of course they didn't ask people who they thought were against it. All this has done for me is to question the ethics that are taught at the universities where these people got their doctorates.  It also makes me wonder if there is anything in the Uniting Church ethics standards that addresses this issue.  While not as concerned for those who don't have doctorates (because they probably don't know the standards) for those who do have doctorates my respect for them professionally is near shattered.   It would be interesting to sponsor the submission of this survey to a university ethics committee, then to a "research methods specialist" and get a disinterested/professional opinion on this.   Tom       Church rejects 'gay poll'   More than 88 per cent of Uniting Church members oppose gay ordination, according to a survey by the Reforming Alliance group.   http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/27/1075088021978.html     --     Stephen Webb Media Officer Communications Unit NSW Synod, Uniting Church in Australia Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW 1235, Australia email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: +61 2 8267 4308; Mobile: 0423 259 945; Fax: 9267 4716; Web: nsw.uca.org.au/cu/ & insights.uca.org.au/ ------------------ The Communications Unit publishes the monthly magazine Insights, conducts public relations for the NSW Synod of the Uniting Church, and provides a variety of communications services. These include writing, editing, web consultation and development, desktop publishing and graphic design, public relations and advertising. For a consultation or free estimate on your project call the Communications Unit at (02) 8267 4307.     ------------------------------------------------------ - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/insights-l-information.htm ------------------------------------------------------