Polls, polls and more polls ....
They often produce the biggest load of balderdash, as well as sometimes providing what the eye of the beholder wishes to procure ...
We've seen polls CONFIDENTLY predict that Hillary Clinton would comfortably win the last USA election ... we've seen polls that CONFIDENTLY predicted that the United Kingdom would vote, in their Referendum, to remain in the EU, etc, etc....
One has to have a CLEAR UNDERSTANDING how a poll is created and on what its outcome is based ...
A poll is based on taking a relatively small sample and then using "Statistical Science(?)" to take the results from that small sample and assume that it represents the views, opinions, decisions, or whatever, of a VERY MUCH LARGER portion of the population.
But don't take my word for it, here's what a political scientist had to say ....
.... and, needless to say, the weak spot in polls is based on WHO IS in that small sample that is supposed to REASONABLY ACCURATELY represent " the views, opinions, decisions, or whatever" of thousands and thousands of other strangers.
Conducting your survey within a chosen sample can usually provide the sort of outcome that one may want from a "poll" ..... so it's no wonder that Mr. William Stodden refers to "the current date and time" .... |
