Do Polls Really Serve Any Purpose?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the purpose and effectiveness of polls on Physics Forums, exploring whether they are valuable or merely a source of frustration. Participants share their opinions on the design of polls, the adequacy of options provided, and the overall experience of engaging with polls in the forum context.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express that polls are a waste of time, questioning their overall value.
  • Others argue that PF polls often lack sufficient choices, suggesting that poll creators should better anticipate the diverse preferences of forum members.
  • A few participants find polls entertaining despite their shortcomings, indicating that the fun lies in critiquing the options provided.
  • There are suggestions for additional options in polls, such as "undecided" or "none of the above," to better capture the range of responses.
  • Some participants humorously propose that polls should include off-topic options or inside jokes relevant to the community.
  • Concerns are raised about the trustworthiness of polls, with one participant noting that a significant percentage of respondents claim they do not participate in polls.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus, as multiple competing views on the utility and design of polls remain evident throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some comments reflect a playful tone, while others indicate frustration with the limitations of existing polls. The discussion includes a mix of serious critiques and lighthearted banter, highlighting the community's unique culture.

PF polls are....

  • PF polls are GREAT!!! :) :) I've NEVER seen one I didn't like!!

    Votes: 2 7.7%

  • PF polls are sometimes useful ... and I usually feel good about my answer

    Votes: 9 34.6%

  • PF polls are a mixed bag and I usually feel like, in hindsight, I picked the wrong answer

    Votes: 3 11.5%

  • PF polls are usually crap. People should learn to write.

    Votes: 12 46.2%
  • Total voters
    26
pattylou
Messages
305
Reaction score
0
My opinion about polls...

What do you think about these? are they a complete waste of time?

Add comments as you see fit.
 
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hey look, 100% say PF polls are crap.
 
The admins can't see our vote results... right?
 
PF polls never have enough choices. PF poll starters should anticipate the quirkiness of PF members. :biggrin:
 
Evo said:
PF polls never have enough choices. PF poll starters should anticipate the quirkiness of PF members. :biggrin:
Exactly dear Evo. PF poll starters are simply too daft for PF poll answerers. :rolleyes:
 
Oh, geez, I can't decide again! I love PF polls, they're lots of fun, but they're also usually crap. It's more fun giving the poll starter a hard time about not including every possible option. :biggrin:
 
I was going to choose the 3rd choice, but the poll creator made such terrible choices that I had to go with the 4th.

To clarify. Why did you add a second part to each option?

"I've NEVER seen one I didn't like!"
"and I usually feel good about my answer"
"and I usually feel like, in hindsight, I picked the wrong answer"
"People should learn to write."

Many people may think that Pf polls are great, but now have to say that they have never seen one that they did not like.

Then the third one, why do I have to think that I chose the wrong answer if PF polls are a mixed bag? Are there correct answers to polls like these?

And for the last one, yes people should learn to write.
 
Last edited:
Sounds like another vote for the missing poll option "there are never enough options". :biggrin:
 
mattmns said:
I was going to choose the 3rd choice, but the poll creator made such terrible choices that I had to go with the 4th.

To clarify. Why did you add a second part to each option?

"I've NEVER seen one I didn't like!"
"and I usually feel good about my answer"
"and I usually feel like, in hindsight, I picked the wrong answer"
"People should learn to write."

Many people may think that Pf polls are great, but now have to say that they have never seen one that they did not like.

Then the third one, why do I have to think that I chose the wrong answer if PF polls are a mixed bag? Are there correct answers to polls like these?

And for the last one, yes people should learn to write.
I rest my (evo's) case. :smile:
 
  • #10
:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
  • #11
I've never seen a good poll
 
  • #12
Maybe an other option should be added automatically to polls. And an undecided option. And indifferent. And all of the above. And possibly some more...
 
  • #13
honestrosewater said:
Maybe an other option should be added automatically to polls. And an undecided option. And indifferent. And all of the above. And possibly some more...
:cry: :rolleyes: :smile: :zzz:
 
  • #14
Smurf said:
:cry: :rolleyes: :smile: :zzz:
Yes, those are good options too. And don't forget none of the above (), I'm too shy to voice my opinion (:shy:), and I'm too sexy for this poll (:cool:).
 
  • #15
I am too sexy for this poll... damn, i never realized before.
 
  • #17
Math Is Hard said:
My opinion of polls is that they are not to be trusted. Notice that 31.48% of the people who answered this poll said they don't answer polls: :biggrin:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=68084
Inconceivable! They must be punished. But how? Flogging, whirligig, Christina Aguilera? Hmmm... I think we should take a poll. :approve:
 
  • #18
Evo said:
PF polls never have enough choices. PF poll starters should anticipate the quirkiness of PF members. :biggrin:

Any GD poll should include:

1) Off topic options
2) insults to Smurf
3) At least one sheep joke that alludes to Wolram or Moonbear

Any poll should also include the following options with no explanation:

1) The Sisterhoods
2) Because Evo hurt herself again
3) Yomamma [never say more]
4) I'm afraid to answer because Chroot is around
 
  • #19
Ivan Seeking said:
Any GD poll should include:

1) Off topic options
2) insults to Smurf
3) At least one sheep joke that alludes to Wolram or Moonbear

Any poll should also include the following options with no explanation:

1) The Sisterhoods
2) Because Evo hurt herself again
3) Yomamma [never say more]
4) I'm afraid to answer because Chroot is around
:smile: :smile:
 
  • #20
Ivan Seeking said:
2) insults to Smurf
Why does everybody hate me? :rolleyes:
 
  • #21
Smurf said:
Why does everybody hate me? :rolleyes:

Indifference is more akin to hate.

We torture the ones we love. :biggrin:
 
  • #22
Ivan Seeking said:
Any GD poll should include:

1) Off topic options
2) insults to Smurf
3) At least one sheep joke that alludes to Wolram or Moonbear

Any poll should also include the following options with no explanation:

1) The Sisterhoods
2) Because Evo hurt herself again
3) Yomamma [never say more]
4) I'm afraid to answer because Chroot is around
:smile: I think I'll edit those into the future polls.
 
  • #23
Smurf said:
Why does everybody hate me? :rolleyes:
I LOVE YOU SMURF!
 
  • #24
Smurf said:
Why does everybody hate me? :rolleyes:

I like you Smurf...you remind me of a cat I used to have. He was fun to play with once in a while but he always went around clawing up the furniture...so that's pretty much like you except your much shorter and blue...and I expect you hate cat's...well I would too if I were only a few inches tall
 
  • #25
Ivan Seeking said:
We torture the ones we love. :biggrin:
Hmmm interesting...
Evo said:
I LOVE YOU SMURF!
Oh.. uh... :rolleyes: uh oh.
 
  • #26
Townsend said:
I like you Smurf...you remind me of a cat I used to have. He was fun to play with once in a while but he always went around clawing up the furniture...so that's pretty much like you except your much shorter and blue...and I expect you hate cat's...well I would too if I were only a few inches tall
pffft :rolleyes: you're just sucking up because you know you're wrong in the anarchy thread. :-p

bte, you havn't responded to by democracy yet. I can barely remember what's on it now.
 
  • #27
Smurf said:
pffft :rolleyes: you're just sucking up because you know you're wrong in the anarchy thread. :-p

bte, you havn't responded to by democracy yet. I can barely remember what's on it now.

I don't suck up to anyone for any reason...
 

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