[fvc-wat-disc] Signs and money

[Brian Tanguay]

A survey of *why* people voted against MMP would indeed be valuable and
interesting. But any time you conduct a survey, even one limited to a
region like Waterloo, you're talking major $$$$. More than a mere $1000,
for sure; probably more like $5000. That's why an ecological or
aggregate data analysis would probably be the most feasible in these
circumstances. And this sort of thing is definitely still relevant.
LISPOP (the survey research people at Laurier) conducted an experiment
to test the effectiveness of literature drops in certain polls in
Cambridge (for the Green Party candidate).

As an aside, I'm part of a research team that is comparing the most
recent provincial elections in Quebec and Ontario. The cost for each
provincial survey (some 40-50 questions each) was $50,000. We do have
some questions on electoral reform in the survey, and should be able to
scratch the surface of why people voted against MMP. It's too bad we
didn't have sufficient resources to conduct a more detailed analysis,
but, in the end, it does come down to money.

Cheers,
Brian


>>> adaigen at sympatico.ca 10/14/2007 12:32:26 AM >>>
Just my thoughts,

Again, I think the most interesting research project is on *why* people

voted against MMP. The effectiveness of literature drops has probably
been 
researched elsewhere, or certainly could be. Knowing why this
particular 
referendum failed, however, is research that can only be conducted here
and 
now.

Of course, that's just my view from the cheap seats, not knowing
LSPIRG's 
limitations. Everyone seems pretty set on studying the literature
drops, and 
it's not my call to make.

Best,

Ari

>From: "Angela Yenssen" <ayenssen at rogers.com>
>Reply-To: FVC Waterloo Region Discussion 
><fvc-wat-disc at listserv.thinkers.org>
>To: "'FVC Waterloo Region Discussion'"
<fvc-wat-disc at listserv.thinkers.org>
>Subject: [fvc-wat-disc] Signs and money
>Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:12:44 -0400
>
>
>Hi everyone,
>
>There seem to be two burning questions on the listserv right now and I
will
>respond to them both briefly.
>
>1)  Fate of our signs -- the provincial vote for MMP office has told
me 
>that
>the central campaign does not want our signs.   I was advised that we

>should
>go ahead and recycle the signs since the central campaign also did
not
>foresee that we would have a use for them in future.  If anyone who
picked
>up signs is having difficulty disposing of the stakes, I can pick them
up
>from you at some point since my parents live a rustic country life and
will
>make good use of the stakes.
>
>2)  Surplus funds -- I wholeheartedly support channeling our surplus
funds
>to a post-referendum research project.  I would like to know if our
>canvassing and literature drops had any impact on voters' decisions. 
My
>only request attached to the funding for the research would be that
we
>receive a copy of the write-up when the research is finished so we
know the
>results.  I do agree with Jan's comments that we want the research to
be
>independent and unbiased.  I have no desire to interfere with the
research,
>only to see the report when it is done so we can learn from the
findings
>(whatever they turn out to be).
>
>That's my two cents worth for the moment.  Have a great weekend,
>Angela
>
>
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