1. Why bother taking a census of the forums? There are too few of us to matter, none of this is representative of the sims community at large.
Au contraire mon fraire! Sample sizes do not need to expand once a population reaches a certain level of density. In fact, even just several hundred responses is more than large enough to produce an acceptable margin of error, even for a population as large as the sims community.
“The mathematics of probability proves the size of the population is irrelevant unless the size of the sample exceeds a few percent of the total population you are examining. This means that a sample of 500 people is equally useful in examining the opinions of a state of 15,000,000 as it would a city of 100,000.” -Scott Smith, Ph.D.
So you see, we are all icebergs – below the visible members are thousands of others who feel the same way but do not communicate their feelings publicly. Is it statistically possible that ALL the people who feel a certain way are on the forum, and EVERYONE who is not on the forum feels differently? I suppose… but it’s pretty close to being statistically impossible.
2. Why do you care?
Because I'm altogether far too curious for my own good, and forming opinions without any numbers to support them makes me squirm. The real question is why do you care if I care?! Who sent you!? Who do you work for!? Ahem, sorry. Just shush and take the survey. Shhhhhhussshy.
3. What will you use this info for?
Backing up my wild sweeping statements about the sims while chatting with you lovely folk, most likely! So stand up and be counted! I didn't make this for my own personal confirmation bias. Surprise me, simmers! Tell the truth and tell your friends!
4. Do I have to give out personal info?
Absolutely not! I told the survey thingy not to track IPs, and not to allow double posting. Not sure how it does both, but it claims it can, and hey, that's SurveyMonkey's problem.
5. Are you going to put this on other social media?
I tried my best, but the limitations of the survey host I chose forced me to shut down the collection of external votes way too early. The results from other platforms have been included in the overall results, with the breakdown explaining where the votes originated from. The survey was shared via the following sites:
>Post
The Officially Unofficial Simmer Census - Facebook Edition!
>Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PCD26WT
The Officially Unofficial Simmer Census - Twitter Edition!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWQGS2T
The Officially Unofficial Simmer Census - Tumblr Edition!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWF6TZM
Post >
The Officially Unofficial Simmer Census - Reddit Edition!
Survey >
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PSDXKZ3
The Officially Unofficial Simmer Census - Fan Site Edition! (MTS, SimsVIP, what have you)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PSW5ZLW6. When will you post the results?
DONE!
7. Why didn't you ask [blank] in the survey?
Well, there are a couple of reasons. First, when I made the survey I was only allowed to ask 10 questions each time because I only had a free account. I decided to keep it really concise. Second, I don't want to waste your precious time by asking you to get really specific. I would like to make more surveys to cover other more specific fields of simterest - once I find a free web host that isn't awful. Make your suggestions in the comments and I will try to oblige you when that time comes!
8. So... should I post something, or...?
If you would like to discuss any of the questions, suggest questions for future surveys, make predictions about the results or tell me how awesome my hair probably looks today, you are welcome to!
9. You think you're pretty funny, dontcha?
Yup, you caught me! You may have noticed I'm not trying to be super serious - after all I think we all tend to forget this is a game, and we're meant to be having fun! So let's try to keep it light and not devolve into judgement or negativity toward one another. Mmmkay? Good stuff. *High fives everyone*
10. What if non of the answers you've provided accurately represent my feelings on the topic?
Fair enough, I have received feedback that in future I might want to provide the option 'other' in some categories, and provide a wider range of responses to some questions. Unfortunately I am not able to add new responses to the open survey, but I really appreciate the feedback and will take that into account in future! If you don't feel comfortable answering with the responses I used, go ahead and skip the question! Sorry about that!
Comments
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Its a good question
"Games Are Not The Place To Tell Stories, Games Are Meant To Let People Tell Their Own Stories"...Will Wright.
In dreams - I LIVE!
In REALITY, I simply exist.....
Same.
I took the survey, there was a question or two where I wish there was option, other.
The best time to wear a striped sweater, is all the time.
One with a collar turtle neck!!! That's the kind!!
ETA updated with new official nickname - THE SIMSUS!
@TheSimer Re: the vision question - meant to gauge how simmers feel about the game's direction in general. The vision term is borrowed from the sims team, but yea interchangeable with "how do you feel about the direction of the game".
taken