Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Online Surveys - The Answers to Life's Burning Questions

In my spare time (ha!) I do online research polls to earn "e-dollars" to redeem for SkyMiles on Delta.  I've not earned enough yet to redeem for a flight or even an upgrade. But the good people at Delta don't take unused miles away from you as long as you have account activity within a twenty four month period unlike some other un-named airline (cough - Southwest - cough) who only lets you keep miles/points for a year whether you add to them or not.

Some of the polls are pretty quick - usually because they have enough answers from my demographic group or the answers I've given don't qualify me for further participation.   Some of the polls don't fit me at all (why would I know or have an opinion about tampons?) while others have me guessing at what they are really trying to get information about.

I did one tonight on health.  There were a series of questions ranging from Acne to COPD to Diabetes 1 and type 2.  Here's a sample of what they ask:


Alzheimer's
I suffer from
Someone in my household suffers from
I provide care for someone who suffers from
Not Applicable


Here is an example of how twisted my mind is:  Shouldn't they have another option to check such as, "I don't remember?" or "How would I know?"    (Yes, I know it's a horrible disease.  Yes, I've seen first hand the affect it has on a family.) Like I said, twisted mind.  And it just occurred to me that what they are really finding out is what kind of person actually answers those surveys.  Scary.