For those of you that value polls

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"In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls."

And that's in addition to the fact they relied on a telephone poll that skews the results by missing people who don't have phones or aren't home.

Statistics, polls and sampling surveys are useful at times, but can be very tricky to work with - at least that's what all of my statisitics and science professors said.

John
 
The "typical" anti-gun poll questions are often something along the lines of this;

"Do you believe that more should be done to keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals?" yes/no

"Do you believe that there should be a concerted effort to keep children safe from gun-violence?" yes/no

"Do you feel that Pro-Gun organizations, such as the NRA, should be allowed into publics schools to educate children?" yes/no

If you voted "yes" for any of the above YOU are infavour of more gun-control... at least according to the "national media", Brady, Sorous, AFRGC, et al. :(
 
Yes. This poll is biased.

Every poll is biased in some way or another.

I'm not saying that it isn't representative of people's views, it may be, but it is biased to some degree.
 
Ofercryinoutloud... :rolleyes:

You want proof of bias in this poll? READ YOUR OWN DAMD LINK!
In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.
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What more do you require?
 
Yeah, but what's your point? "can induce" isn't the same as "did induce within this poll".

You're saying that this "did" happen here. I'm asking which questions were worded with bias and how much they skewed the results in which directions.

This is not an unreasonable question. No reason to use profanity. :)
 
Yes I do. Even if they were *all* biased I don't think that the effect of the bias is enough to render the poll inaccurate in most cases.
You claim reason to doubt the results of this poll. I'm asking you to either prove it or retract the charge.
 
I'm not saying that it isn't representative of people's views, it may be, but it is biased to some degree.

I guess I'll just keep reposting what I've already posted in hopes you'll actually read it and comprehend this time.
 
No. I don't claim reason to dismiss the results, I just said it was biased because all polls are biased. Don't put words in my mouth.
 
I'm not saying that it isn't representative of people's views, it may be, but it is biased to some degree.
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So you concede the possibility that this poll is indeed 'representative of people's views'.
Is there any reason *specifically* to think that it's not?
 
So you concede the possibility that this poll is indeed 'representative of people's views'.
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I have no need to concede anything as I never took the position that it wasn't indicative of people's views.
Is there any reason *specifically* to think that it's not?
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None that I can see.

All I'm trying to do is convince you that there are no perfect polls. If humans are involved in opinion gathering, bias is inherent.
 
[shyly raising hand mode on]
Could someone tell me what this has to do with "Round table discussions range from the Bill of Rights, to concealed carry, to general political issues."

I mean, it just seems to me that if a debate on the veracity of polls is within the realm, why not a discussion of the best color for "power neckties"? Favorite SUV's of politicians? Stuff like that.
Rich
 
All I'm trying to do is convince you that there are no perfect polls. If humans are involved in opinion gathering, bias is inherent.
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I am completely aware that polls (like everything else on this planet) aren't perfect. That doesn't mean that they're not useful.

None that I can see.
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Thank you. So now that we have established that, why don't we proceed on the assumption that this poll does indeed reflect public opinion and discuss the results...maybe see what we can gain from it?
 
Rich,
#1 "Questioning the veracity of polls" wasn't my idea.
#2 "Questioning the veracity of polls" without specific contravening evidence is definitely a partisan tactic, thus falls within the purview of "general political discussion".

I really am only interested in discussing the public opinion indicated within this poll, as shown in my opening post. I'm very keen to get back onto the subject at hand.
 
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