Previous Story
Suggestion on Trib’s weekly polls
|
Posted on Dec 12 2004
Regarding your weekly polls, as you know the manner of asking a question can determine its answer. If a question is phrased in a “neutral” manner, you will get real opinions. However, people prefer to answer yes when the way the question is phrased suggests that yes is the best answer. The latest poll question is, “Is the MPLA’s decision to have the pozzolan on Pagan Island be studied first before awarding a mining contract the proper course of action?” Of course, the “spur of the moment” answer will be “yes,” because the phrasing of the question implies that no studies have been done nor information gathered, which is not the case according to the media.
A better phrasing of the same question might have been: “Do you approve of MPLA’s decision to have more studies of pozzolan mining on Pagan Island before awarding a contract?” Or if you had written it this way, “Do you agree with MPLAs decision to require still more studies of pozzolan mining on Pagan Island before awarding a mining contract?” might have elicited different responses.
Be aware that the way questions are phrased very much determines the answers. Pollsters are most conscious of this and are careful to phrase questions in such a way that the answers will support their position.
I request that your questions be phrased in such a way that they are not “leading” or suggesting a certain response. An example would be “Do you support a bill to increase benefits to (education, the elderly, the disabled, the retirees)?” Of course the answer will be “yes.” If you add on this phrase, “if it will double your taxes?” The answers may not be the same. So, please, try to make your questions “neutral.”
If a question were phrased like this… “Would you favor mining pozzolan on Pagan Island if the revenue share to the CNMI government would be earmarked to fund salaries for DPS, CHC and other essential services and to pay down the government debt to the retirement fund?” This question might generate “yes” answers also. Thank you.
Angie Sills
Through e-mail
