Lefties are giddy about a survey released by Robert Smith and Scott Imig, education professors at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). Frankly, the survey reflects poorly on the Watson College of Education at UNCW.
“The Public Schools Our Children Deserve? North Carolina Residents React to State Legislative Changes” reports on the survey of over 2,350 residents of North Carolina. The survey method was…creative.
Smith and Imig write,
Participants completed the survey online. A link to this survey was shared with multiple PTA organizations across North Carolina and it was posted on multiple websites, including personal Facebook and Twitter pages and the Charlotte Observer Facebook page. In addition, individual respondents also forwarded and/or posted the survey link. The survey was opened on January 23, 2014 and closed on February 10, 2014.
In other words, Smith and Imig admit that they had no control over the sample. Rather, the survey bounced around from person to person and from website to website (See screenshot from Alderman PTA, New Hanover County, below). Their approach is acceptable if the survey deals with something inconsequential, not parental attitudes about public education.
For additional analysis, check out what Lady Liberty has to say about the survey.
