Unhappy With Neilsen System, Viewers Take Matter Into Own Hands

POSTED BY: NewsAdmin
UPDATED: Friday, January 24, 2003 01:49
VIEWED: 11610
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JASONZZZ

Tuesday, January 14, 2003 5:54 AM

Well, all systems have inherent flaws. Any measurement system will have its unique problems. The issue is when you use the results indiscriminately and absolutely without regard to the limitations within the design of the system.
Population sampling to determine the current behaviour of the population is completely sound and valid. When done correctly, you can determine the behaviour of the majority of the population fairly accurately. I don't know if humans are predictable animals or not, but current ongoing behaviour can be sampled and determined. Whether it predicts the future is another matter.

Nielson and other population sample is used to determine the behaviour of the population as a whole. It shouldn't be used to predict behaviour or to determine the behaviour of any subgroup.

Quote:
Originally posted by lostangel:
I want to know why this system has gone on for so long?

They only count the people who have the special boxes, and then take the data from the viewing habits of specially selected people and mathmatically? figure out how popular a particular show is with the rest of the country.

This reasoning is flawed because in order to become a Nielson family, you must be as "normal" as possible. That is a requirement that they look for when picking families. Also, it doesn't take into consideration all the people who tape a show when they can't watch it. ALSO, humans aren't predictable. You can't take our preferences and fit them into a mathematical formula.

The only way it would work is if there was some sort of "big brother" tattler chip in every TV that was ever sold.

Enough of my ranting. How can I get involved in making a more accurate system?

______________________
Lost Angel

WASH: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
ZOE: We live in a space ship, dear.
WASH: So?

MAKEN

Friday, January 24, 2003 1:49 AM

Where do I sign up for this?

Quote:
Originally posted by Jasonzzz:

From: http://www.watchfarscape.com/news/article.php?newsid=160

"...Interested? To work with the Viewer Consortium, please contact one of the following:
Join the staff and/or board (TVC Resources) sellam@mail.utexas.edu
Join our email list (TVC Email List) kernezelda@yahoo.com
Add to our site/organization list (TVC Site/Org List) mary.hinds@verizon.net
..."

Quote:
Originally posted by spacemonkey:
where do I sign up. anything that might help out FIREFLY I'm game for.

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