Final Questions

Ok, since we're getting pretty close to the deadline, I thought it might be best to gather all the questions we have thus far in one space...

1.How would you rate your level of knowledge in regards to Canada's involvement in the Afghan conflict? 1.Very high, 2. High, 3. Moderate, 4. Low, 5. Very low

2.To what extent do you agree with the following statement: The purpose of Canada's involvement in Afghanistan is focused on peacekeeping operations? 1.Strongly agree, 2.Agree, 3.Neutral, 4.Disagree, 5.Strongly disagree, 6.Don't know

3.Given the importance of the Canadian alliance with the United States (e.g. membership in NATO), do you agree with Canada’s decision to participate in the war in Afghanistan? 1. Strongly agree, 2. Agree, 3. Neutral, 4. Disagree, 5. Strongly disagree, 6. Don't know

4. To what extent do you agree with the following statement: The Canadian government's involvement in the war in Afghanistan has made Canada and its allies safer from international terrorism? 1. Strongly agree, 2. Agree, 3. Neutral (did not make a difference), 4. Disagree, 5. Strongly disagree, 6. Don’t know

5. In your opinion, how has Canada's global reputation been affected by its involvement in the war in Afghanistan? 1. Very positively, 2. Somewhat positively, 3. Neutral (did not make a difference), 4. Somewhat negatively, 5. Very negatively, 6. Don't know

Final comment's anyone?

Good idea to start gathering the questions!

In general, following the "Dummy variable" lab and my personal opinion, I would probably rather go with the lower numbers standing for more "negative" responses. That being said, I also left in bold questions I personally think should be on, and in italics are some of my comments.

1.How would you rate your level of knowledge in regards to Canada's involvement in the Afghan conflict? 1.Very Low, 2. Low, 3. Moderate, 4. High, 5. Very High

2.To what extent do you agree with the following statement: The purpose of Canada's involvement in Afghanistan is focused on peacekeeping operations? 1.Strongly agree, 2.Agree, 3.Neutral, 4.Disagree, 5.Strongly disagree, 6.Don't know - I think this question could use some clarification, if used. Does ANYONE think the operation was ever focused on peacekeeping? If so, a simple definition of peacekeeping might be helpful here

3.Given the importance of the Canadian alliance with the United States (e.g. membership in NATO), do you agree with Canada’s decision to participate in the war in Afghanistan? 1. Strongly agree, 2. Agree, 3. Neutral, 4. Disagree, 5. Strongly disagree, 6. Don't know - are we basically asking if Canada's involvement in Afghanistan strengthened the relationship? Just not sure what we are trying to get out of this question, but I still think CA-US relations and NATO are important issues to tackle

4. To what extent do you agree with the following statement: The Canadian government's involvement in the war in Afghanistan has made Canada and its allies safer from international terrorism? 1. Strongly disagree, 2. Disgree, 3. Neutral (did not make a difference), 4. Agree, 5. Strongly Agree, 6. Don’t know

5. In your opinion, how has Canada's global reputation been affected by its involvement in the war in Afghanistan? 1. Very negatively, 2. Somewhat negatively, 3. Neutral (did not make a difference), 4. Somewhat positively, 5. Very positively, 6. Don't know

Everyone, please do comment since we should probably get this done soon :) (is the final version due tomorrow?)

Nicely done Lee. Yeah, I totally agree with the scale reversal...seems to make more sense, from a visual as well as psychological stand point.

The deadline is tomorrow...I'm guessing the same as assignment 2, at 7pm?

In regards to

Question 2: Good point, very few would actually believe that the purpose was ever peacekeeping and it might in fact be misguiding to frame it this way...How about a potentially divisive statement like: To what extent do you agree with the following statement: The purpose of Canada's involvement in Afghanistan is to defeat the Taliban?

Question 3: I think the point of this question is to gauge the people's attitudes towards Canada's military and strategic alliances as they relate to the Afghan conflict. So how about: Do you agree that Canada’s decision to participate in the war in Afghanistan strengthened it's military alliance with the United States as well as it's position within NATO?

Lee and Ali,

I really like the way you guys have analyzed the questions! I think we should finalize these and put them up on the main page. I agree with both of your assessment of question 2. As for your reference to question 3, given that the major reason for Canada to participate in the war in Afghanistan was due to its alliance with the US (and its membership in NATO) I personally think it is important to assess how people view Canada's obligation to provide military support to allies. I think it will provide us with an answer that evaluates how people feel towards the alliance and military (defense) obligations in addition to how they would feel towards Canada's involvement in future wars. Let me know what you guys think!

Nikta and Ari, I see what you guys are getting at. Let me know what you think about the following re-phrasing of the question:

Keeping in mind Canada's strong alliance with the United States of America and its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to what extent do yo think it was Canada's obligation to take part in the NATO led mission in Afghanistan? 1. Not at all Canada's obligation 2. to some extent 3. to a high extent 4. Don't know.

Also, inspired by the US election study from our assignment, what do you guys think about including a general question like "Overall, was the war in Afghanistan worth the cost for Canada?" Y/N. This can also be looked at as sort of a screening question.

Lee, I like the way you rephrased the first question on Canada's alliance with the US and NATO. Like Nikta I think its important to gauge the average Canadian's opinion of the country's global security and defense commitments.

Your second question that asks whether the war was worth it also provides a simple yet straighforward answer. Obviously some Canadians could be for or against the war for different reasons. Some may feel it hurt Canada's reputation as a peacekeeping nation, others may lament the combat deaths, while some may have seen the war as simply a waste of taxpayer dollars. On the flip side others may see the importance of the humanitarian mission, the fight against terrorism, or the need to stand by longtime allies.

On the whole the questions look good. When should we type them all up.

Lee: The alliance question is looking great, I would just propose a slight modification...

Keeping in mind Canada's strong alliance with the United States of America and its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to what extent would you agree with the following statement: it was Canada's obligation to take part in the NATO led mission in Afghanistan? 1. Strongly disagree, 2. Disagree, 3. Neutral, 4. Agree, 5. Strongly agree, 6. Don’t know

Your second question would be a great way to close our section of the survey and, as you point out, would be a great gauge of general feeling. It could very well replace question 2, since we can't figure out how to word it. What do you think of this ever so slight modification? In your opinion, was the war in Afghanistan worth the cost for Canada? 1. Yes, 2. No, 3. Don't know