Questionnaires beget questions
The key to getting survey results that reflect a population as a whole is to go out and find a random sample group that includes people who aren’t aware of the issue or even that there is a survey.
The problem with online surveys is that people first have to be aware that the survey even exists and then they have to be enticed to seek it out.
This in itself tends to skew the data because obviously the people who are either strongly against or in favour of a particular issue are not only going to make a point of doing the survey they will also drum up support for their cause.
On any particular issue there is a risk that the survey results are saying exactly what they were orchestrated to say.
This year, Clearview Township has held three surveys to gauge public opinion on support for a bus system in Stayner, allowing ATVs to use township roads and a survey about traffic and speeding is open until the end of the month.
We support the use of surveys as a way of engaging the public but the results should not be taken as gospel. Surveying is a science and one that requires expertise to avoid asking leading questions and providing a full range of responses.
This week, council was provided survey results said that 29.2 per cent did not believe ATVs should be allowed on township roads and the others said they should either be given full or partial access. Sixty per cent of the respondents said they currently own an ATV.
It’s hard to believe that is a fair representation of the ATV to non-ATV users in Clearview Township. Also, 40 per cent of those surveyed are between the ages of 35 to 54 and we know that age group does not make up the majority of Clearview’s population.
The point is, if we are going to give weight to survey results and base decisions directly on the findings, we need to ensure that the surveys are done in a way that they reflect the views of the township as a whole, which should be the end goal of any public engagement process.
Council must set standards for how long a survey is conducted, how it is distributed and how it is promoted.
There is still time to do the traffic survey but if, confined by the questions, you feel you weren’t able to express your opinion fully, contact your elected representative directly. From what we saw this week, they will take it under advisement when making decisions, despite survey results.
