Do you trust Political Surveys?
It
seems like all we hear nowadays is what the latest poll states …
who is running ahead in what State and by how many points ! I've
often wondered how these polls are conducted and if they are on the
up and up. I suppose a lot of them are but the call I received a few
days ago has me wondering.
The
phone rang and when I answered it a man told me he was conducting a
poll about the political scene as it was playing out now and would I
mind answering some questions. I said I would be happy to and the
first question he asked was … ''are you a Republican, a Democrat or
an Independent?'' to which I replied ...''I am a Democrat and proud
of it.'' and …
HE
PROMPTLY HUNG UP !
I
guess it wasn't what he wanted to hear and I'm left wishing I'd
questioned him closer before I agreed to answer his questions. You
can bet that won't happen again.
posted by Ginnie at 5:00 PM
9 Comments:
We had a federal election last month and I refused to participate in any surveys this time. I don't respond to any phone queries any more. You still have a year until this election. WOW! I'm glad Canada does not have that same process.
We have not received any similar calls since moving to NH over a year ago. However, on a recent trip back to our VA house, I received a call about voting and happily told the caller that I no longer lived there. I can just imagine the confusion on his part after I hung up.
I never participate in telephone surveys of any kind. And no, I do not trust the surveys. There are far too many ways to concoct questions designed to get certain answers. There is no indication that the political surveys follow any true scientific design.
Well that was kind of rude -- so typical of Republcans. (Haha ... Couldn't resist)
No kidding. It's all a farce.... or worse.
Sorry that happened, Ginnie. The political scene and the world seems to be tilted on its ear right now. I am hoping we can get through these perilous times.
(somehow I deleted this comment left by POSSUM...so am posting it like this. Ginnie)
I usually hang up on them immediately.
But if the caller is paid by a particular party and they want specific information that might help that party, if you say you are not one of them, well, they have no need to talk to you any further, I guess.
A good 2nd question would be, what would it take for you to change your party's allegiance? But they probably don't really want to know.
Happy Turkey Day! BTW.
I stopped answering those calls. However, I once did survey work as part of a course on 'Attitude and Public Opinion' at the University of Maryland. The survey produced good results because people will answer if the caller identifies himself or herself as from a university.
Also the Census Bureau conducts many if not most government surveys, such as the employment and labor force participation surveys, so I respond to those. They have a good record. Although I think of myself as an Independent, my daughter, who is a bit right of center accuses me of being a "closet Democrat." I was a Democrat once, but no more. I didn't leave the party, it "left" me.
Have a good day Ginnie.
That was not a legitimate survey. It was a poorly done push poll. Usually they ask leading questions or make negative comments about their opponents phrased as questions.
Post a Comment
<< Home