Polls

Intbel · 05-01-2005, 07:50 AM

I'm just wonderin' ...

Lafayette · 05-01-2005, 07:57 AM

Polls on the whole mean nothing to me, well, except this one, of course

One interviews 1,000 people and then applies that to say it is representative of the entire population? I guess polls have to meet some scientific criteria, but it just seems like the only way to know anything for certain as to how left-handed vegetarians with dandruff feel about an issue is to ask each of them and if they can't be done, don't pretend that the information is of the utmost importance.

Intbel · 05-01-2005, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beckett93

Polls on the whole mean nothing to me, well, except this one, of course

One interviews 1,000 people and then applies that to say it is representative of the entire population? I guess polls have to meet some scientific criteria, but it just seems like the only way to know anything for certain as to how left-handed vegetarians with dandruff feel about an issue is to ask each of them and if they can't be done, don't pretend that the information is of the utmost importance.

I agree - poll results can never be trusted.
Even election results, no matter how accurate the counting can not be trusted.

If a party has a landslide victory it can not honestly say it has the support of the majority of the population if only 49% of folks voted can it?

mkpdavies · 05-01-2005, 08:53 AM

The ones that are not bent (few and far between) can give a slight indication of how you are doing. I am interested in polls, but I only take a bit of notice, if I know exactly what questions were asked.

At the end of the day an election is one big poll and they don't even represent the whole public, and are just as open to massaging of the figures by the unscrupulous!

View Poll Results: Just like so many governments of the world, the EU believes in polls. Do you believe in polls?
Yup	0	0%
Nope	1	16.67%
Dunno	1	16.67%
I never touch 'em.	0	0%
No-one ever asks me anything. Poll-wise I m disenfranchised.	2	33.33%
None of the above.	2	33.33%
Voters: 6. You may not vote on this poll

05-01-2005, 07:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
Intbel Uber Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a field near you - look for the yellow and purple tent ... Posts: 4,665	Polls - opinions of. I'm just wonderin' ...

05-01-2005, 08:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	The ones that are not bent (few and far between) can give a slight indication of how you are doing. I am interested in polls, but I only take a bit of notice, if I know exactly what questions were asked. At the end of the day an election is one big poll and they don't even represent the whole public, and are just as open to massaging of the figures by the unscrupulous! __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-01-2005, 07:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lafayette Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 114	Polls on the whole mean nothing to me, well, except this one, of course One interviews 1,000 people and then applies that to say it is representative of the entire population? I guess polls have to meet some scientific criteria, but it just seems like the only way to know anything for certain as to how left-handed vegetarians with dandruff feel about an issue is to ask each of them and if they can't be done, don't pretend that the information is of the utmost importance.