I am considering launching a company that surveys people. I think there is a lot of competition in the field and organizations such as Gallup and Pew Research have experience, staff and money so it will be tough. I think there may be a future for a less prestigious enterprise that gathers odd data and massages it into headlines in large print.
My idea is to ask a sample of people who have no special reason to know technical and advanced information what they think about it. Something like "What is your opinion of France's position on the Russia-Ukraine matter?" or "Do you think gene therapy or laser methods are the tool of the future?" With a little work, we will find the line between too everyday and too advanced and arcane. Questions that treat the obvious (Do you buy gasoline for your car?) will turn people off or confuse them. When I raise my hand in front of a group and ask "What is this?", some will say "Your hand" but others just look confused. The question is too easy and is either a trick or about something they don't understand. If the questions are too technical and elaborate, they will shrug and say they don't know.
Of course, the exact wording matters, too. "Should the US send troops to the Ukraine?" will get different responses from "Should the US interfere in the Russia-Ukraine troubles?" We are after results that allow us to get away with shouting "Hey, shocking news!" What we find may not be all that shocking and it may not be news but it will seem so when we get through.
--
Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
