New research: 100% of surveys are rubbish

In my survey, 100% of polls I looked at are rubbish. Therefore I conclude that all surveys are meaningless.

Brand Republic

So, according to Brand Republic, “less than a third of consumers would be willing to pay for online news content … according to a survey of more than 1,000 UK consumers’.

Blimey, sounds impressive. It’s not. It’s a ‘survey’ that The Media Blog set up online in which anybody could vote. To get people to take part, they sent a tweet.

This is how to get a representative sample.

So they didn’t go out and conduct a survey, weighting the answers to make sure they ended up with a representative sample. They sent a tweet. To their followers. Who are mostly journalists I imagine.

So I think that should read “… according to an online vote among anonymous people on Twitter who could vote more than once and who followed an account that’s wholely about the media”. This opinion poll is as far from being representative of the general public as it’s possible to be.

It’s bad enough the Media Blog claiming it was ‘research’ among ‘UK consumers’. For Brand Republic to uncritically report is as news is even worse.

The Independent

The Independent is currently seeking feedback when you go to its site – a little box appears asking your opinion. Rubbish. (Screenshot got deleted in error, sorry).

The question is what type of content you’d like to see more of.

So what happens? They go running into the editor’s office and go ‘23% of people want more business. Sack the sports desk and go headhunt me some business reporters’.

Or is the survey designed to get you to sign up to some emails and promotional offers. Hmm?

The Express

It’s a bit cheap and easy, but honestly. Who dreams up these questions?!?

So 99% of people think Labour’s treatment of the elderly is a disgrace. 1% don’t. Nobody isn’t sure.

Alongside that, 97% of people think the Olympics should be scrapped. and 98% think Labour has wrecked the NHS (aren’t waiting lists about a quarter of what they were when Labout came to power?)

At least they’re consistent

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