Topic: Critical Thinking

10-Second Review: How valid is that survey or piece of research?

Title: “A Cautionary Tale about a Flimsy Source.” Norman Lobsenz. The Writer (August 2008), 29. The Writer is a magazine by writers for writers. Its purpose is to encourage writers to keep on writing.

Quote: “Don’t accept survey results at face value. Ask: Are the questions biased? Who sponsored the survey and when was it done? Was a large enough group polled? [How random was the sample?] Are there similar surveys that show conflicting results?

Comment: Good questions to ask about polls, surveys and research. Did you already know this information? So did I. I’ve read it many times. Still it’s a good reminder. How many suckers still fall for the “Research says….” “proof” of conclusions? RayS.

The purpose of this blog is to share interesting ideas I have found in recent American professional publications dealing with the teaching of English at all levels, elementary, secondary and college.