I FIND myself being constantly irritated by ?surveys? in the form of questionnaires purporting to ask my opinion on a matter of local or national interest, that ask the wrong questions ? and, moreover, give me no opportunity to express my opinion other than by ticking graduations of Agree . . . Disagree boxes. The worst sort don?t even make sense. A question which asks ?Do you think this will be agreeable to most people?? for instance, needs to be answered Yes/No/Maybe, not Agree/Disagree. I am reminded of that old joke ?Have you stopped beating your wife; answer yes or no.? Perhaps the compilers should take a course in usage of English, unless of course (perish the thought) they intend to confuse. Often such questions are ?loaded?, mixing generalities,which might be acceptable, with particular situations that are not. Statistics based on such questions are not trustworthy, and we need to be wary when we are told that such and such a course of action is desired by 75% of people, whether it concerns TV programming, wind turbines, or school meals. Edna Eglinton 9 North Street North Tawton
