Possible question

That's an excellent question, although I think that it needs another variable for those who believe that poverty reduction is something that should be left to the impoverished (there are people like that, sadly enough).

Maybe have two questions for it:

1.Do you believe that assistance is necessary to reduce poverty? a. Yes b. No

2.do you believe that poverty reduction is the responsibility of private charity, or government assistance? a.Private charity b.Government assistance c.Not applicable

Just looking at the questions you've posed in response, would it be possible to have a couple of branched off questions based on the responses to your first question? Looking at policies that currently do exist, do we want to ask questions about whether individuals agree with income or housing assistance? Maybe something along the lines of 1a: How strongly do you agree with the creation of subsidized housing? a)strongly agree b)agree c)neither agree nor disagree d)disagree e)strongly disagree

1b: Do you agree or disagree with income assistance for those under the Low Income Cut-off? a)agree b)disagree

Speaking to Ekateryna's point, it may be useful to break the concept of government assistance into seperate categories of those able earners and disadvantaged earners (by this I mean, those who fall within the lower-income earning bracket and are disabled/otherwise mentally incapable of earning their utmost potential). We could pose a question regarding to what degree respondents believe government assistance is warranted. I say this, because people may carry a bias/stigma against welfare recipients who are physically/mentally capable of earning their wages, but are too 'lazy' to do so. By breaking the concept down, we eliminate the possibility for bias to mar their responses. The question we could pose is:

"To what extent do you believe provincial governments are responsible for financially compensating incapable low-income earners": a.) much intervention b.) some intervention c.) no intervention

Regarding government assistance, we could also add another question "In terms of the amount of money that is spent on assistance to the under privileged, do you think we are spending too much, too little, or about the right amount? " and then a more detailed second part: "Why do you thin that?"

I like the suggestion that EkaterynaBaranovskaya made about breaking it into two questions, in addition I also agree with JenniferSamuel, I think that it would be good to clarify those who should receive assistance, to eliminate bias/stigma, as best as possible. Maybe we provide a brief sentence that would include a description of who would receive assistance and then we ask EkaterynaBaranovskaya's questions...? or Maybe is JennSamuel's questions a third? or is should incorporate it in with the first suggestion of EkaterynaBaranovskaya? What do you all think?

I like the suggestion that has been made by EkaterynaBaranovskaya about taking into consideration the bias/stigma against welfare where people might not be willing to help those that are capable but too lazy to do so. by eliminating this stigma we will be more capable of getting better and more detailed answers.

The point that Ekateryna made is excellent on having that third variable. Because there are many people that don’t think we should even assist in reducing poverty from the first place!

Having read the above threads ... i feel like we’re concentrating more on government assisted people more than the homeless. We cant group these two groups together, we should differentiate those on welfare, or who live in subsidized housing and those who are homeless. It is important to not overlap the two.

I also like Ekateryna's incorporation of a third variable - I think it adds depth to the question. I also agree with Dalia's point that the distinction between those who are homeless and those who are on welfare (i.e. subsidized housing) must be made obvious. Clearly, they are two seperate entities in themselves and must be addressed as such - considering that some survey respondents may have the tendency to be biased against one group or the other. It might also help to clarify with a follow-up question:

"Do you believe low-income earners should recieve government assistance?" A.) YES B.) NO C.) MAYBE

"If YES,then what form of government assistance do you deem is appropriate?": A.) education assistance B.) Welfare cheques C.) childcare funding