Gregory Kohs wrote:
> *Phil Nash* pn007a2145 at blueyonder.co.uk said:
>
> ++++++
> Except of course, that such a survey would arguably not have
> "preconceived desires". So much for empiricism!
> ++++++
>
> I offered to give some pro bono guidance on overcoming (to a degree)
> self-selection bias, even among an anonymity-heightened population.
> I didn't say that I would be involved in the actual design and
> execution of the survey. So much for civility!
I was not intending to be uncivil, merely to point out that surveys are
often designed to elicit a particular response rather than cold, hard,
facts. Apologies if I conveyed a contrary impression, but having been a
serious victim of such a survey, I am somewhat sensitive to the weaknesses
therein.