Final Questions

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