h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.h2g2.com/A491014

About why the Web provides a better indication of public opinion than traditional / other media.

Gosh - this seems to have sunk quite a way without anyone spotting it - sorry about that - hopefully when we get a new PR system this won't happen anything like as often...

It's not something I've thought about terribly much, so I can't give you terribly many pointers right at the mo - I'll be back later...

For my part I think it's a point well made.
Good entry!

Thanks - I'd forgotten I'd written it!

I definitely think this is a worthwhile topic.

Unfortunately, this entry comes across as being bits and pieces of someone's opinion, rather than something that has actually been carefully researched. One of the big problems I have with the entry as it stands is that you talk about 'public opinion', but you never really delve into what you mean by that. Are you just talking about what people think of TV shows/movies/music and whatnot? Are you talking about what topics people are interested in?

The fact that the internet is not universally used is a really MAJOR issue when doing public opinion/market research on the internet -- there's a very heavy population skew towards the young (15-29), the middle/upper class, and the Western cultures. This is *definitely* an issue that would need more than 1 sentence.

Another issue worth going into would be the number of firms that now specialize specifically in web-based market research.

Hope this helps some!


Mikey

Another problem you might mention is that websites are written by the obsessives, who aren't the whole of the market. So 'cult' programmes get a much larger number of sites, for example.

Don't forget polls and elections as another representation of public opinion...

Another point - the anonymity afforded by the Web coupled with the relative lack of security on many sites means that opinion polls and message boards can be 'skewed' towards a particular result or opinion by a small minority of individuals. The Web is not a demonstrably more accurate method of gauging people's opinions. It's just faster and more responsive than most other methods.

This Entry has definate potential, well I think that anyhoo, but as it is, it seems unfinished. It doesn't tie together well, if you get what I mean. As if you have put most of the ideas down, but have only just started putting them together. However with all that said, it is a good Entry, and a good topic. A bit more polish and this will be ready for the Edited Guide Any questions, then just yell Until later....
BCNU - Crescent

One point worth making is that almost all websites are written with some agenda. Any opinion polls carried out are likely to suffer from bias in this way. There are a few less biased opinion polls, such as those on the BBC, but the typical BBC listener, watcher,etc, is not neccesarily the typical member of the public.

This is a problem on the internet, as many people only regularly visit certain websites. They may visit other websites and see polls, but most of the opinions will probably be from regulars. Even if the message is spread, it needs some sort of community, which is likely to be biased.

The problems are the same ones that newspapers and magazines suffer.

The internet itself is not representative in its users. The old are likely to be missed.

Fan sites are even more skewed. To create a fan site you need:
time - it takes a lot of time to create a well written and well presented site
technical know-how - to create more than just a basic website requires a knowledge of HTML for example.

Those who have these are less likely to be respresentative of the population.

Well, there seems to be some consensus that this could use some work. Unfortunately, the author doesn't seem to have been around lately -- AWOL since Rupert.

Writing Workshop?


Mikey

seconded

Bossel (another Linkinator)

Editorial Note: This conversation has been moved from 'Peer Review' to 'The h2g2 Writing Workshop'.

Editorial Note: This conversation has been moved from 'The Writing Workshop' to 'The Flea Market'.

...as the author of this entry seems to have 'left the building'.