When I wrote, 'It doesn't have to fit...' I was parodying the questionnaire
designer's approach. Apologies, Jen. I'm always forgetting to signal changes
of voice like that.
A questionnaire designer had better be finicky and had better design
questions that cut things at their joints or as near as possible. Or else go
and work for a profit-making 'research company'. The two Ipsos MORI
questions were not fit to be included in a pilot questionnaire worked out on
the back of a fag packet five minutes before the deadline. I've seen better
efforts from first-year undergrads on introductory research-methods courses.
No doubt others have seen better from precocious primary-school kids.
Chris
> -----Original Message-----
> From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jennifer Gristock
> Sent: 15 November 2006 14:18
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] are scientists using unscientific
> data to attack unscientific 'intelligent design'?
>
> I'll agree that it doesn't have to fit. But if it doesn't
> fit, we shouldn't imagine that the results tell us anything
> about public attitudes to the concept and role of
> 'intelligent design'.
>
> Chris, I see you work with electronics. For me, this is like
> asking people if they will install (in their homes)
>
> (a) a solar panel (which comes with a compulsory parrot)
> (b) a cat
> (c) an amorphous silicon thin film module without a parrot
>
> and then interpreting a lack of people choosing (a) or (c) to
> mean that no-one likes alternative energy!
>
> No 'dead parrot' jokes, please.
>
> (Oh, go on then)
>
> JJG
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