spirituality research -have your say!

[crocoduck]

Since the results are to be "presented in a thesis, to be published as a book, as well as conference presentations and peer reviewed journal article/s" I wouldn't mind having this thread drawn to the attention of Dr Fisher's supervisor.

The project states the Principal Researcher is Prof. Lawrie Angus and the Student / Other Researcher is Dr Fisher. Does this mean Prof Angus is the supervisor? I am not sure how these titles are ascribed.

Like Dan I couldn't get past the first screen of the survey, for the same reasons. Some of the surveys we have had from Year 12 students have been better drafted.

[Darwinsbulldog]

Originally Posted by crocoduck

Since the results are to be "presented in a thesis, to be published as a book, as well as conference presentations and peer reviewed journal article/s" I wouldn't mind having this thread drawn to the attention of Dr Fisher's supervisor.

The project states the Principal Researcher is Prof. Lawrie Angus and the Student / Other Researcher is Dr Fisher. Does this mean Prof Angus is the supervisor? I am not sure how these titles are ascribed.

Like Dan I couldn't get past the first screen of the survey, for the same reasons. Some of the surveys we have had from Year 12 students have been better drafted.

Yup, Angus would be his boss/supervisor. It would be quite a giggle if it got published. Not in any reputable journal though-it would not get past the editor, never mind peer review, except maybe the Discovery Institute, and even they have some standards! Then again, there was the Sokal Hoax......maybe someone will publish it for a good laugh.

http://www.physics.nyu.edu/sokal/weinberg.html

[Logic please]

I've largely been an observer up to now, but I'd like to belatedly comment on the following. I'm well aware that John may not read or note this, but others may find it useful, now or in future:

Originally Posted by JohnFisher

Atheism is a minority view on the world stage. So, I deliberately posted on this Forum to invite you to join in my international survey on Background, Beliefs and Spiritual well-being, so that an accurate, and positive, view of Atheism might be expressed to a wide audience, alongside views of other people of faith and non-faith positions.

Please refrain from capitalising "atheism", except at the start of a sentence. As well as being grammatically incorrect, it's a common error made by those who would try to paint atheism as "just another religion" or "a belief system". It is not.

I also note your backhanded Argumentum ad populum. Like Mr Black, I contend that the nature of reality is not decided by popular vote, but by evidence, investigation and analysis.

Unfortunately, the survey issues identified by other posters do not inspire confidence that our views will be represented accurately, as it doesn't appear that they will be accurately surveyed in the first place. And as evidenced by the recent Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne, we're quite capable of accurately representing ourselves internationally, as we see fit. Thanks for your offer, anyway.

Originally Posted by JohnFisher

I know that my survey does not provide all possible answers for each question. That would make it too long and put people off doing it. I ask that you be gracious and choose the response that is closest to your view.

So effectively, a conscious decision has been taken to sacrifice data accuracy for the sake of administrative convenience? Please tell me I haven't read that right.

And excuse me, but "gracious"? You've come to our forum community, seeking our time, assistance and effort to help further your research, and then presumptuously tell us we should be "gracious"??? Exactly who was doing who the favour, again?

Originally Posted by JohnFisher

You can make comments at the end of the survey. For example, if you think some, or all, items listed on the last two pages are not important for spiritual well-being, please choose the answer ‘very little’ importance and make a note in the comment box that ‘very little= not important’ for you.

Erm, not likely. We've seen before how results from *incorrectly designed* surveys can be co-opted as a weapon. For example - LINK:

Originally Posted by linked article extract

Although people rarely talk about it, almost everyone experiences anger toward God at some point in their lives, commonly after the diagnosis of a serious illness, the death of a loved one or a trauma.
In fact, nearly two out of three people report that they've felt angry at God, according to a study in the January issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
...
Interestingly, those who don't believe in God or question God's existence reported more anger at God than people who said they believed.

Now, what I don't know is exactly what "anger at god" constitued for non-believers. It could be directed at perceived harm occasioned by devotion to the mere concept, for example. But, check out how the reported survey results were twisted:

Originally Posted by When Atheists Are Angry at God

It's unlikely you've ever been angry at unicorns either. We can become incensed by objects and creatures both animate and inanimate. We can even, in a limited sense, be bothered by the fanciful characters in books and dreams. But creatures like unicorns that don't exist – that we truly believe not to exist – tend not to raise our ire. We certainly don't blame the one-horned creatures for our problems.
The one social group that takes exception to this rule is atheists. They claim to believe that God does not exist and yet, according to empirical studies, tend to be the people most angry at him.
...
The most striking finding was that when Exline looked only at subjects who reported a drop in religious belief, their faith was least likely to recover if anger toward God was the cause of their loss of belief. In other words, anger toward God may not only lead people to atheism but give them a reason to cling to their disbelief.

I've argued elsewhere that, according to the Christian tradition, atheism is a form of self-imposed intellectual dysfunction, a lack of epistemic virtue, or – to borrow a term from my Catholic friends – a case of vincible ignorance.

Not much "accurate" or "respectful" presentation of atheism there, eh? And, as a punchy sensationalist headline:

Originally Posted by Give us a break...

Even atheists get mad at God

So no, it's not just a fit of pique on our part, is it?

Originally Posted by JohnFisher

The whole survey needs to be completed to enable full data analysis. I would like to know why seven of you stopped at the question, ‘I believe the world was made…’

Oh please. This has been explained by various posters, multiple times in-thread. I can link the relevant posts for you if needed.

Originally Posted by JohnFisher

It appears that some of you need an opportunity to freely express your views, rather than select from the range of alternatives provided on my survey.

I wish you good luck with that, although if it's the same survey questions and options, methinks that similar answers and non-completions will likely be forthcoming.

[crocoduck]

Originally Posted by Darwinsbulldog

Yup, Angus would be his boss/supervisor. It would be quite a giggle if it got published. Not in any reputable journal though-it would not get past the editor, never mind peer review, except maybe the Discovery Institute, and even they have some standards! Then again, there was the Sokal Hoax......maybe someone will publish it for a good laugh.

http://www.physics.nyu.edu/sokal/weinberg.html

Thankyou Mr DB. I think this sham methodology would reflect on the supervisor's credibility as well.

It is such a pity... I love surveys! Especially ones on atheists! I want a voice, I want to be heard, and I want it to ring TRUE.

This reminds me of a Templeton Foundation type of attempt to call everything grey when it's actually taupe and charcoal.

[Darwinsbulldog]

Originally Posted by crocoduck

Thankyou Mr DB. I think this sham methodology would reflect on the supervisor's credibility as well.

It is such a pity... I love surveys! Especially ones on atheists! I want a voice, I want to be heard, and I want it to ring TRUE.

This reminds me of a Templeton Foundation type of attempt to call everything grey when it's actually taupe and charcoal.

How such schools/uni get accreditation is beyond me! Still, with prayers in parliament, anything is possible, I guess.

I can't conceive that Dr. Fisher has a PhD! He would have definately flunked my Foundation course for first years!