Polls and Surveys
Recently, we’ve blogged about types of low-quality content that are not allowed on Answers: avatar games, chatting, and gaming questions. Since then, a lot of questions have been asked about polls and surveys, and how these are different from chat. Generally, polls and surveys seek advice and look to gather a collective opinion around a subject—that’s exactly what we want to see on Answers.
Having such a large number of people in the Answers community lends itself to gauging public opinion through a poll or survey. Polls and surveys are allowed on Answers, and this week we have some recommendations to help you get the most out of the surveys you create:
Make use of the Polls & Surveys category: This may sound like we are stating the obvious, but consider that placing your poll in the right category will attract responses from people looking to help. It also makes it clear that your question is intended to garner opinion.
Keep your questions as short as possible: Long questions can lead to misinterpretation and confusion.
Be clear about the information you want: Write questions that everyone will understand in the same way.
Avoid vague and biased questions: Stick to one topic. The question should point directly to the information that is needed. Write questions that do not lead people to answer in a particular way.
Avoid yes/no and rating-type questions: It encourages games and chatting and may result in a violation.
Here are a couple of examples of good-quality polls and surveys:
Maybe you have some further tips to share?
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
- Rating:
(15 votes, average: 2.27) - Permalink
- Comments (17)
Loading ...
Subscribe
Yes, I agree.
Good points and tips.
Yeah but games are fun, please make a subsection like this:
Entertainment & Music>Polls & Surveys>Games
or
Entertainment & Music>Polls & Surveys>Yes&No’s Questions
There already are games on a computer system typically. One can go to a games forum or chat room to do that sometimes as well. We don’t need more games online I feel. We have a unique place to go to yahoo answers I feel and don’t need to fix what’s not broken as the saying goes. I would not want to add those items. Having gaming questions though is a good idea for tips on how to improve using that if others are willing to share that insight I would feel.
The first two examples were ok, not great polls since they are worded badly (for example the word YOU in the first), but the last one is pure fun and the person added their own answer!!!! NO knowledge could come from it. Weather hot or cold? What does that even mean? What is cold in Miami is hot in Green Bay. If the third example is a good poll, there are no bad ones. The Yahoo Staff have no defense now to violating anyone. Except for rating questions and games, it is open season. How about this one YAT, “Do you like red or green M&M’s better?” or “simply “Do you like red or green better?” Those are just as legit as the third one. You are changing the boundries again and the good users that try to help are eventually going to throw their hands up and give in. To ALL YA users, post anything in P&S, I will never be reporting again from that category. Let Yahoo reap what it sows.
I forgot to add, I urge all YA users to stop reporting in P&S. Let it go to the dogs since that is what the YA Staff appear to want. We should ignore it and let it become the dizzay chat room people want.
In response to eminemlover, there already is a games section. It’s for asking questions about games. Not for playing games. If you don’t like that you can’t play games on here, then leave.
How about stop IMMATURE people from being annoying and trolling. Also, why is there STILL constantly homophobia, racism, and other prejudiced questions, answers, users allowed? Many of us P&S users have our questions removed for no reason, yet I see so many report worthy content still around!
the first question seems more like a Words & Wordsplay category type.
Or better yet – the Quotations category.
I totally agree with eminemlover !
Games are fun.
And to add to those catergories:
Entertainment & Music > Polls & Surveys > Controversial Topics
Yahoo Answers isn’t a forum people.!
I’m not sure why they really care about this…I mean I understand that they don’t want Yahoo answers to turn into another 4chan, but seriously, they don’t do a very good job of policing the garbage out anyway.
sometimes the stupid questions and polls and games are fun. it’s part of the internet fun, being silly!!!11!!!!!111!!!!!111111!!!!
I honestly don’t think was necessary to write a blog entry encouraging people to use P&S when most people use it anyways for questions that have nothing to do with opinions (ex. homework help).
Okay be a copy cat and set up P&S like the polls we use to set up on 360 pages. As answers are submitted, the percentage is posted according to others that have answered, sorta like the voting tallies and their respective % when voting.
Oh, and what about the Celebrities category? It’s just as bad as the P&S. Most of the members in that category think they may use this site as their own blog/chat room/etc. and it’s ridiculous. This site is a joke, in some areas.
At one time I fought long and hard to get Polls & Surveys back on Yahoo! Answers. The only problem with the category now is that to find 3 good questions, one must sort through piles of common verbiage.
Most of the category has nothing to do with knowledge, or of networking to improve information.
I see the point of the first example. Someone could be looking for words of encouragement or inspiration in times of difficulty.
What is learned in the weather survey? Everyone knows that different people like different types of weather and dislike others. The asker is not going to change the weather based on the votes of the survey.
People have different opinions of various commercials. Nothing new to learn. One answer criticized a local car dealership ad. Few on Y!A will have seen it. The question is just an excuse for people to whine (chat). An ad or marketing firm would use a statistically relevant poll to evaluate ads.