The Veg wrote:The Web Mistress wrote:The Veg wrote:Bevahiour seems to be the crux of the matter. I've never seen a recreational (key word there) forum that time-limited the edit function, but then the issues we saw in the past were fairly unique too. I do agree that the questions should be worded as functionally as possible- the way they stand now as I write this seems a little bit 'editorialised.' possibly reflecting someone's opinions. Polls with tangible outcomes should strive for objectivity, period.
I also remain open to the idea that this issue might require some trial & error to get comfy.
Polls always equate to OPINION which do NOT necessarily equate to OBJECTIVITY. It's what people want... and it's driven by experience and emotion nine times out of ten... thus, objectivity is subject to the user; not by the poll.
Even so, write the questions as objectively as possible. Editorialising in them gets construed as trying to lead or influence the user, and certainly makes the questioner appear less respectful of the user's opinions, to say nothing of coming across as crass and snide. Take the high road, *I dare you!*
+1000
Kelley, if you don't think poll results can be skewed by how the question and multiple choices are worded, I don't even know what to say. An objective survey of opinion can only occur if the greatest care is taken to try not to steer results by the wording of the question and available choices.
Example:
Do you support the war in Afghanistan?
1) completely
2) though there are problems, I fully support the troops efforts
3) we shouldn't have ever gone in, but we have to stay and finish
The pollster could claim that 100% of the people responding to the questionnaire support the war in Afghanistan.
Or
Do you support the war in Afghanistan? Yes No
vs.
Do you support the troops in Afghanistan? Yes No
vs.
Do you support staying in Afghanistan regardless of how long it takes, even if it's decades? Yes No
These three questions could each purport to measure public support for the war, but they would get substantially different results. Someone desiring positive responses might choose the second, and someone desiring negative results might choose the third. Both would get different results than the first one.