>>>Yes, statistics is a science and the statistics here are simple - 'x percent of people said they were happy'. What you are questioning is the reliability of the data. So do you think:
>>>(a) It's not important to determine whether a population is happy.
>>>(b) It's important but just asking them won't give the true result.
>>>(c) We should measure a bunch of other things and use those to decide their level of happiness on their behalf.
>>>(d) ?
>>
>>I would go with (c) if you replace 'should' with 'could'; though I think that (a) is good enough too.
>
>I'm happy to disagree (but you'll have to take my word for it) (g)
Why don't y'all test the theory? Send me money and see if you feel happy!
John Harvey
Shelbynet.com
"I'm addicted to placebos. I could quit, but it wouldn't matter." Stephen Wright