[LintMan]

Originally posted by Norfleet:

quote:

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Originally posted by johan osterman:
I could formulate the poll like: case 1) I believe norfleet is a crackpot, case 2) I do not have an opinion whether or not norfleet is a crackpot. This binary poll is at least somewhat biased.

That's because this is a trinary poll with a missing answer, not a binary poll. So of course it's biased: It is impossible to express the opinion that you firmly believe I am not a crackpot. You can only express that you believe I am, or that you don't have an opinion. The poll includes no means of expressing that you disagree completely with the assertion.

Put me down for 1, BTW.

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Here's a better example of a 2-choice biased poll:


Is the oddly-named, habitual forum poster "Norfleet" a crackpot?

1) Yes: I'm a wonderful person and I most certainly think he's a certifiable crackpot, just like any reasonable person would.
2) No: I'm an idiot who'd lose his head if it wasn't attached, and for some typically dumb reason I think Norfleet isn't a crackpot.


And if we wanted a third, "not sure", option:


3) Undecided: I don't have enough evidence to *prove* Norfleet is a crackpot. Not yet, anyway, but give me time... I'm watching him.


No offense intended, Norfleet!

The lead-in wording and the little descriptions following the yes/no/maybe make all the difference!

-LintMan