Frame your Question Wisely…to get the answer you want.
Anyone familiar with CNN in the United States knows of Lou Dobbs and his program aired in the early evening. Mr. Dobbs brings his energy to the issues of immigration, off-shoring and many items which might have a detrimental effect on the working person in this country.
During each show he asks his viewers a poll question to be answered on line. The problem is that each of his questions is framed in such a way to drive viewers to answer in one predominant way, and that way is in support of Dobbs’ viewpoint. For example here is last night’s question and the results.
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Do you believe the President and Democratic party are representing American citizens on the issue of illegal immigration?
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Yes
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3%
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362 votes
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No
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97%
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10083 votes
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Total: 10445 vote
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Since Lou wants a large number of “No” answers (this would support his agenda) he has framed his question with the “AND” between two diametrically opposed parties, the President AND the Democrats. So he’s asking a compound question which, in order to have a “YES” answer, requires the voter to believe that both the President and the Democratic party are representing citizens on the issue of illegal immigration.
Imagine for a moment if he’d change the word “AND” to “OR” and offered the voter the chance to choose which was doing a better job on illegal immigration. Would this not give more interesting information? Yes. But maybe not in support of Lou’s hyperbolic agenda.
Add comment April 26th, 2007
