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  • #157455 Reply
    Nikita Menon
    Guest

    Hello everyone!
    I am a student at the University of South Wales doing my Masters in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology. I was wondering if you guys could help me out with my dissertation by filling out the survey. It is in relation to craving for rock climbing. The results for the survey may be used by my supervisors in suggesting extreme sports as a therapeutic alternative.
    So I know that the survey is long, but please help me out!

    Here’s the link to the survey : https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZX7LM39

    Thanks a ton!

    #157547 Reply
    Numbat
    Guest

    Hi Nikita,

    I did your survey, but I think some of the questions and answer choices are pretty stupid. Like many other surveys I’ve seen, it seems to me that the survey is designed to only allow responses that you want and suits your hypothesis, not the answer that people actually want to give.

    I’ve seen much worse however. I remember once I was asked by someone in the street to take part in a ‘5 minute’ survey on road safety. I said ‘Sure, but do you really want me to? It will take at least half an hour.’ Their reply was that no, it’s only a 5 minute survey…

    So, 40 minutes later…

    Them: ‘So, do you ever drink and then drive’
    Me: ‘Yes, every day!’
    Them: ‘What? But you know that’s illegal!?’
    Me: ‘No it’s not! I’m allowed to have a cup of tea in the morning!’
    Them: ‘Oh, that’s not what the question means, it’s referring to alcohol.’
    Me: ‘Oh does it? Can you read the question out again then please?’
    Them: ‘Do you ever drink and then drive?’
    Me: ‘Yep, every morning!’
    Them: ‘ Err no, alcohol….’
    Me: ‘Where does it mention alcohol in the survey?’
    Them: ‘Oh… um nowhere…’

    Another one was:
    Them: ‘Do you ever drive without the seatbelt on?’
    Me: ‘Yep.’
    Them: ‘Oh, you know that’s illegal?’
    Me: ‘Not when I’m backing down my driveway or driving the tractor on my uncle’s farm.’
    Them: ‘errr… no… on the road…’
    Me: ‘Road? Where does it say that in the question?’

    Numbat

    #157548 Reply
    Numbat Knobend
    Guest

    what a douche! Numbnuts!

    #157558 Reply
    Numbat
    Guest

    Hi Knob,

    thanks for your comment.

    Have a read through Confirmation bias at

    It summarises the topic quite well. Here is an excerpt:

    “Experiments have found repeatedly that people tend to test hypotheses in a one-sided way, by searching for evidence consistent with their current hypothesis.[7][8] Rather than [9]searching through all the relevant evidence, they phrase questions to receive an affirmative answer that supports their hypothesis.[10]”

    Happy climbing!

    Numbat

    #157559 Reply
    Numbat
    Guest
    #157560 Reply
    Numbat
    Guest

    This is also an interesting read about the design and use of surveys:

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-27/beware-survey-that-found-1-in-2-favour-muslim-immigration-ban/7880526

    Here’s a bit of it:

    Surveys do not simply identify a rock-solid public opinion; they explore, with the potential to distort through questions asked. Essential chose not to present respondents with a range of options on Muslim immigration. Rather, it was a yes/no choice:

    Would you support or oppose a ban on Muslim immigration to Australia?

    The product was easy-to-understand copy for the media, but arguably also a gross simplification. Public opinion on social issues defies binary categorisation. It is more accurately understood in terms of a continuum, with a middle ground on some issues in excess of half the population.

    #157561 Reply
    John boy
    Guest

    Whoa easy there numbat pump the brakes.I didn’t know you had so much survey rage you could have just not filled it out.

    #157563 Reply
    Ross Weiter
    Guest

    I thought the survey was OK. It sort of explores whether being a rock climber means being a general inherent risk taker or if rock climbing is somehow “special” i.e. can be practiced by a “conservative person”. I think that is a valid question. It sort of feeds into the stated therapy objective I guess.

    #157580 Reply
    Pesty
    Guest

    Oh Numbat, Numbat, Numbat. Slow forum day was it?

    #157598 Reply
    Numbat
    Guest

    Hi Pesty. Yep, sure was!

    As for Ross’ comment: “whether being a rock climber means being a general inherent risk taker or if rock climbing is somehow “special” i.e. can be practiced by a “conservative person”.” – some of the most ‘conservative’ people I know are rock climbers and some of the most risk-taking people I know would never consider rock climbing (or most other outdoor adventure sports).

    It depends on how you define ‘conservative’ and ‘risk-taking’.

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