ðThe data from the pilot project was collected between
July 29th and October 31st, 2005.
ðThis report
presents the findings for each of the three survey approaches, as well as the
total sample of 4,341.
ðAlthough the same
questionnaire tool was used for the telephone, on-line and street intercept
study, the results
vary significantly depending upon how people registered their opinion.
ðThere is no solid
methodological rationale to explain this variance. If the three samples were truly representative of the
opinion of residents of Toronto – the results would not vary to the degree that
they do. This suggests that other
factors were at play to influence the results; for example a push by special
interests to influence survey results one way or the other.
ðTo assign the proper
amount of weight given to these results, it is important to understand all of
the issues around the survey methodology used.
ðThe following
page explains the three survey approaches and identifies the various
methodological strengths and weaknesses.
ð