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GAYGAY, Karla Jessica STS THX Forum: Online Polls In my honest opinion, we should not be focusing solely on surveys. We should investigate further and give importance and time on observations or in-depth probing. Answers in survey may be tweaked and depends on the mood of the respondents. It also be noted that once the topic is of popular demand, respondents ride on its bandwagon. As the speakers say, legitimate sample size depends on how representative the sample is. The margin of error as defined is the distribution or how dispersed the values relative to the mean. In simplicity, how close to the mean. They also noted that better sample size are brought by the participants’ willingness to respond. In using surveys, researchers should be good critics of their tool. There should be good comparison from their past surveys. One survey regarding the academic calendar shift was conducted, however the respondents were heavy on the side of the UP Administration. This kind of survey is biased. Paano nga naman ang isa pang populasyon ng komunidad ng UP System? There are also drawbacks of survey especially those that are conducted on-line. Only those who see that site or link can answer the survey. This kind of method can draw the line between those who have not answered. Moreover, researchers are not being transparent regarding the number or the population they have included in their research. This is, again, a loophole in their part especially issues that represent the whole population. The other type of survey, introduced by the professor was Mood Meter. I did not know that this is the term for that kind of survey or poll. Anyway, this kind of poll offers entertainment to the readers. But, it depends on purpose of mood meter. One purpose is to measure the sentiments of the respondents. Before the session ended, here are the tips left by the speakers: (1) be vigilant: be mindful if the questions being asked are leading questions, (2) think critically, (3) there are a lot of truths, halftruths and lies, and for the national election (3) thought to ponder: does this person deserve my vote? We are capable of thinking and no one should dictate the decisions we need to make! 