There was a recent story on the front page of my local newspaper. It culled an interesting fact from the recent census about indoor plumbing. Evidently the Portland Metro area has suffered a 33% decline since 2000 in “complete plumbing facilities” which means: hot and cold piped water, a flush toilet and a bathtub or shower.
The survey was conducted by the American Community Survey, a phone survey, and an arm of the Census Bureau. As commented by a local spokesperson collectively sums up what everyone thinks, “Wow”!Here is the scenario we are all familiar with: you are fixing dinner or just stepped into the house and pick up the phone and somehow agree to a survey and then half way through stop listening to the questions and just answer? Or you agree to the survey but don’t understand the question or don’t understand the person asking the questions? Or you get bored halfway through the survey because it is taking more than the allotted time they promised and you just answer to get them off the phone?
Another explanation is homeless people who truly don’t have indoor plumbing take the survey by phone. I have seen some folks I assumed to be homeless with cell phones, but would they be eager to use their minutes for a survey? Are there that many homeless phone users to tip the data so drastically?
Lack of the correct building permits is another excuse given for the increase in no indoor plumbing. I don’t understand that reason but I toss it out there with the rest. A foreclosure with people selling off their bathroom fixtures and then continue living in their homes is another reason to consider. Really? These people then agree to take the survey?
Somehow I think people are enjoying indoor plumbing and this is a data glitch. We all remember hanging chads!
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/01/census_oregon_has_more_homes_without_plumbing_now_than_in_2000_and_no_one_really_knows_why.html
7 comments:
Haralee - what a great example of GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out). Any analysis, whether for plumbing, or business, always needs a good dose of common sense.
It amazes me that no one within the survey company or the census bureau had the same logical reasons as you for the so-called data.
I always believe there is something bigger behind these type of surveys or statistics. Doesn't seem to make any sense but it's because its false data and something else is up their (Census Bureau) sleeve that will come out later.
Exactly! Just shows what you can rely on and what you can't. Or the reminder of what assuming gets you. Okay one more - common sense is not common practice! Thanks for being the beacon when the "experts" can't be. Much appreciated.
Thank-you Nicole, Denisse Marie, and Michelle for your comments.
This data also comes under the headline, 'just because you read it doesn't mean it is true'!
Yeah, those are some pretty weird numbers that could really use some better explanation. I think your explanation of how people deal with surveys could be a plausible one too.
I have a hard time seeing homeless with mobile phones. Most of them can't afford food. I don't see them choosing a phone over starvation.
And actually, people selling off plumbing fixtures so they have a place to live is still possible. People will live in extreme ways to avoid staying off the streets.
Another thing that may be plausible: with the recent hard economic times, some people are having a hard time making utility payments. Lack of hot water would meet some of the items on that list. So some may have plumbing, but maybe they let the gas bill go so they can still afford water.
Haralee - I was laughing at this! I mean really - do they really need to investigate why their numbers are off? other than the fact that people did not take their survey seriously! COMMON SENSE always prevails.
Thanks for the great laugh today! Rachel
I agree with you Janice!
Glad Rachel I can provide a laugh!
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