[CLUE-Talk] Political compass

[Jeff Cann]

On Monday 03 November 2003 11:12 am, Jed S. Baer wrote:
<snip>

> I disagree that their questions were good.

I should have said 'thought-provoking' or 'response-eliciting', since 'good' 
is probably too subjective.

> I wound up spending time pondering what the underlying "bent" of some of
> them were, 

I think you're maybe just supposed to answer instinctively.  You sound like 
the kind of guy who ruins demographic studies, trying to second guess the 
testers.  From their FAQ:

 + http://www.digitalronin.f2s.com/politicalcompass/faq.html

<quote>
1.  Some of the questions are slanted
 
All of them are slanted ! It's important to understand that this isn't a 
survey, and these aren't questions - they're propositions. Some are extreme, 
some are more moderate. That's how we can show you whether you lean towards 
extremism or moderation on the Compass.
</quote>
 
> and so probably wound up answering more moderately, and/or perhaps on the
> other side, than I might have.

<quote>
2.  Respondents are going to feel under pressure to be politically correct
 
Not really, because we've assured them that not only are their identities 
unknown, but their responses totally unrecorded. So the only actual pressure 
will come from themselves. We've found that a lot of people aren't 
comfortable with the first result, so they go through the propositions again, 
changing some of their earlier responses. It's a bit like an overweight 
person stepping back on the scales after removing their shoes. 
</quote>

Maybe take it again?  See if your result changes.

Also, I thought the 'Reading List' was certainly interesting.

Later,
Jeff
-- 
http://isuma.org/