Introduction

A lay person's guide to sampling error, sample bias, questionnaire design and data interpretation. But don't worry - not all polls are like this. Some are verse.

Do It Yourself Polling

I opened the paper, and what did I see,
But another of them 'pinion polls
It said that some party was ten points behind
And their leader had fell in a hole

Well I reads of these things nearly most ev'ry day
It must be a bit of a caper
So I said to meself "I'll do me own poll -
And see if I don't make the paper!"

So I went to me neighbour, I said to her "Miss,
Tell me, what d'yer think of them polls?
She answered "There's too much of them things about
They're really upsetting me soul

"They block out me view, they're such an eyesore,
They get covered in posters 'n stuff
And beside of the road, they're a hazard I say!
For certain, there's more than enough!"

Well I thought to meself "that's a strange point of view"
But I ticked in the box what she said
Next I went down the pub and I said to me mate
"Are there too many polls, d'jer think, Fred?"

Well old Fred looked at me as if I were queer
And he said "that's an odd thing to say
Frankly round here, I don't think there's enough!"
I said " 'ow come yer thinking that way?"

He said "I just can't get that Polish salami
Since Jarlevski's deli closed down"
Then we finished our drinks and I started to think
Better go ask me granny, in town.

Now she's got a bad ear, but I made meself clear
I said "we got enough polls, or what?"
Granny said "Whatdj say? Oh the bowls are OK,
But I could do with a couple of pots!"

So I've done me research, all sci'ntific, on polls,
The voice of the people has spoken!
One third say "too many", one third say "too few"
And one third say "it's fine till one's broken!"

Copyright; David Peetz
Email: davidpeetz@yahoo.com.au