"To avoid people using it the wrong way, I hesitate to give out the final tallies of people who took the "oppose," "support," or "undecided" questionnaires. And a few responses are still trickling in. But I'll prepare a rundown of how people weighed-in on the various issues and post it here (and in other places, as well) later in the week."
Al, I think you are responding correctly. I looked at how you set this up. You did disclose, at the beginning, that it should not be interpreted as a survey. The portion that you set up as quantifiable should not be used. You are correct that it should not be used or even reported. I completely agree. What you did differently from people who set these things up to abuse them and create false impressions is that you set up to collect some usable anecdotal data. Giving respondents the opportunity to write comments can be usable anecdotal reporting. I wouldn't include anonymous comments or unverifiable e-mail addresses when you publish these. Not that it would be appropriate to publish names unless disclosed up-front but it allows you to throw out the cranks or attempts to bias. (Example: writing foolish comments in opposition, which are peppered with curse words) That portion of your blog can add very useful information and be a community service. Like letters to the editor, the sample size of each data item is one. I hope everyone recognizes the difference between this and quantifying data, which may reflect the attitudes of the local dogs and cats with yahoo accounts along with established problems of bias with self-selected respondent surveys. Those are for marketing; not controversial issues. -Because of the rampant misuse and damage caused by bogus surveys, my suggestion for the future would be to include the major points as rhetorical questions used to encourage respondents to think about the points. That way it doesn't give the appearance of being a poll or suggest that it might be used as such- I look forward to reading the verifiable comments from our neighbors for and opposed to the hotel. Glenn ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 8:46 AM Subject: Re: [UC] Polling about the Proposed Hotel In a message dated 2/17/2008 11:18:20 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am still curious about the results of the poll that Al Krigman proposed about some weeks ago Roger Al wrote: I previously posted a questionnaire (see below -- not a poll or survey) about reasons why opponents of the proposed Campus Inn were opposed to the project. A number of people, rightfully, jumped all over me for doing something for opponents and not giving supporters of the project an opportunity to indicate why they liked it, or undecided neighbors an way to note the questions they think should be answered before they can make up their minds. Admittedly, I'm not happy with the project as it's been presented to date. However, in the interest of balance, I've prepared two additional questionnaires to accommodate folks in the above two groups. To register your sentiments, go to www.campus-inn.blogspot.com. You can access any of the questionnaires with a click from there. If you're not sure which questionnaire to fill out, click on one or the other and look at the items; if you exit without hitting the "submit" button, no trace of your visit will be retained. As stated in the item you quoted above (I added the emphasis so even a restaurateur could see it) it was a questionnaire designed to elicit opinions -- to help us understand what people liked, didn't like, or were uncertain about. To avoid people using it the wrong way, I hesitate to give out the final tallies of people who took the "oppose," "support," or "undecided" questionnaires. And a few responses are still trickling in. But I'll prepare a rundown of how people weighed-in on the various issues and post it here (and in other places, as well) later in the week. Always at your service & ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.7/1283 - Release Date: 2/16/2008 2:16 PM
