>Q: How many statisticians does it take to change a light bulb?
>A: 4, +/-6.

The way I heard it:
Q: How many statisticians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: To what degree of certainty?

>
>>Surveys have shown that 83% of polls are inaccurate.
>>
>>>I was called by a pollster last night. The questions surprised me. Not once was I asked who I would vote for or if I had voted. Yet the purpose of the poll was determine who I would vote for. At the end of the poll, I asked the fellow how could he tell who I would vote when that question was never asked. He informed me that they could tell by how I answered the questions. I wonder...
>>>
>>>A sample (some of them I wrote down because they were so unusual):
>>>
>>>1. Are you more concerned about terrorism or the economy?
>>>2. Which candidate would you invite over to your house for dinner?
>>>3. Which candidate speaks more from the heart?
>>>4. Do you think the money spent on the war in Iraq would be better served at home in the U.S.?
>>>5. Do you think large corporations make too much money?
>>>6. Do you think the U.S. welcomes immigrants from other countries and provides a chance for economic success?
>>>7. If you or a family member gets sick, is it your fault?
>>>8. Do you think healthcare should be available to everyone?
>>>9. Do you pay too many taxes?
>>>10. Do you think the government should protect those who cannot protect themselves?
>>>11. Do you think the U.S. is viewed favorably by other countries?
>>>12. Do you own a gun?
>>>13. How much education do you have (a. no college b. some college c. a college degree)
>>>14. Do you drink? If so how much and how frequently (a. daily b. one drink a week c. several drinks a week)
>>>15. If you drink, do you (a. drink beer b. drink wine...)
>>>16. Do you think too many soldiers died or were injured in Iraq?
>>>17. When you hear Obama speak, do you feel: (a. relaxed b. worried c. excited)
>>>18. when you hear McCain speak, do you feel: (a. relaxed b. worried c. excited)
>>>
>>>Now, which questions do you think suggest Obama? Which ones McCain? Most questions were similar to those above. I know how I answered, but I'm not sure it's an accurate reflection of how I voted.
>>>
>>>Update (I meant to post this under politics - don't know how it ended up in news section)
>>>
>>>Whenever I asked for clarification on a question such as: "What do you mean by 'protect?" the pollster said he couldn't add to any question; he had to ask the question the way it was written.