Survey v. Poll [was: Casting the Net (was "the miscast Net")]

[Thomas M. Paikeday]

Interesting question, David.

What I have in mind is more of a poll (a la Gallup, Harris, and such
pollsters) than a survey. But it is not meant to be based on scientific or
statistical principles, just an informal kind of opinion sampling on a
specific subject, as happens on Monday mornings at the water cooler. There's
no money in it, except maybe figuratively, like one's two cents worth. I
suppose many of our discussions on ADS-L are of that kind. (No offence!).

A survey sounds to me more like market research. It is often broader or
wider or more comprehensive than a poll. Cf. "A Survey of English Usage";
"I'm the lord of all I survey"; "Survey says?" or is it "Survey shows?" But
I'm going off-topic.

You normally take a poll but conduct a survey. Not that you couldn't conduct
a poll and sound more important. Make a survey?

TOM
www.paikeday.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Barnhart" <ADS-L at HIGHLANDS.COM>
To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2003 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: Casting the Net (was "the miscast Net")


> ---------------------- Information from the mail
header -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Barnhart <ADS-L at HIGHLANDS.COM>
> Subject:      Re: Casting the Net (was "the miscast Net")
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
>
> thomaspaikeday at SPRINT.CA,Net writes:
>
> >> > What comes to your mind first when you hear the word "net" in
> >isolation?
>
> I have not followed all of this thread.  However, isn't the setting of
> the college classroom somewhat biasing your inquiry to people more
> likely to be denizens of the internet?  Just a thought.  My experience
> with surveys leads me to believe that they can be more misleading than
> electronic databanks.  The skillful use of a saw depends upon
> experience of the carpenter using it, does it not?
>
> Regards,
> David
> barnhart at highlands.com
>