Research, in any form, is ambiguous and for a multitude of reasons. There are so many contributing factors to collection and interpretation of data which can be skewed by human factors. Of course, there are statistical tests that confirm findings mathematically. However, there is always a margin of error associated and human error should factor in.
My husband is finishing his Doctoral dissertation and the research he did was prone to several errors because after creating a research tool, he did the research himself. There is no computer program that can read and analyze the data he was studying so human error could and probably does run rampant throughout his research.
I am not saying it shouldn't be done but I think in ALL findings, one must study with an open mind and with logic and wisdom. It can be skewed due to so many factors, even down to how the researcher felt that day.
Interesting research that I feel is skewed....
"We asked voters on this poll whether they think interracial marriage should be legal or illegal- 46% of Mississippi Republicans said it should be illegal to just 40% who think it should be legal."
http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/04/barbour-bryant-lead-in-mississippi.html
Several reasons this research could be misleading:
1. Did the respondents understand clearly the question? "Legal or not legal" can be confusing, misleading or easily misunderstood.
2. Did the respondents get confused with difference between interracial marriage and same sex marriage, which is a hot topic right now?
3. How old are the Republican respondents? In my experience, the older generation has issues with interracial marriages where the younger generation doesn't even consider it.
4. Did younger Republicans actually answer this question or did they hang up or quit answering because of the legitimacy of the question?
5. How many respondents refused to answer this question because it was leading? i.e. are you racist?
6. No information was given on the sample size and how they were obtained. Was it voluntary (people who were contacted that were lonely or bored)? Were the respondents forced to pick a party even though they may not be registered or vote across party lines? Are the respondents even registered voters?
7. The rest of the poll had nothing to do with marriage of any kind. The poll was about candidates (none of which made a statement on interracial marriage). Was that question thrown in there as a deterrent or was it the primary reason for the poll only to be buried by a myriad of other non related questions?
There are so many variables to the outcome of a simple question that you cannot take the answers at face value. They are good for consideration but should be examined with a very critical eye.
My husband is finishing his Doctoral dissertation and the research he did was prone to several errors because after creating a research tool, he did the research himself. There is no computer program that can read and analyze the data he was studying so human error could and probably does run rampant throughout his research.
I am not saying it shouldn't be done but I think in ALL findings, one must study with an open mind and with logic and wisdom. It can be skewed due to so many factors, even down to how the researcher felt that day.
Interesting research that I feel is skewed....
"We asked voters on this poll whether they think interracial marriage should be legal or illegal- 46% of Mississippi Republicans said it should be illegal to just 40% who think it should be legal."
http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/04/barbour-bryant-lead-in-mississippi.html
Several reasons this research could be misleading:
1. Did the respondents understand clearly the question? "Legal or not legal" can be confusing, misleading or easily misunderstood.
2. Did the respondents get confused with difference between interracial marriage and same sex marriage, which is a hot topic right now?
3. How old are the Republican respondents? In my experience, the older generation has issues with interracial marriages where the younger generation doesn't even consider it.
4. Did younger Republicans actually answer this question or did they hang up or quit answering because of the legitimacy of the question?
5. How many respondents refused to answer this question because it was leading? i.e. are you racist?
6. No information was given on the sample size and how they were obtained. Was it voluntary (people who were contacted that were lonely or bored)? Were the respondents forced to pick a party even though they may not be registered or vote across party lines? Are the respondents even registered voters?
7. The rest of the poll had nothing to do with marriage of any kind. The poll was about candidates (none of which made a statement on interracial marriage). Was that question thrown in there as a deterrent or was it the primary reason for the poll only to be buried by a myriad of other non related questions?
There are so many variables to the outcome of a simple question that you cannot take the answers at face value. They are good for consideration but should be examined with a very critical eye.
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