RE: New TECHWR-L Poll Question - Your TW Rating

["Joe Malin" <jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com>]

So far, a majority of writers classify themselves as significantly above
average. On the other hand, if one throws out the lowest three levels
(that nobody would have selected), then the the results match closely to
a normal distribution. A one-sentence poll that attempts to measure the
member's question would be darn hard to produce. We might also need to
ask "of the tech writers you know, how many are equal to your ability?"
and so forth.

I am going to postulate that *any* poll that asks people to rate
themselves will return the same results: a normal distribution with the
peak higher (better) than the mid-point of the polling value. Thus in a
5-point rating system, the peak would be at 4 rather than 3.

Also, in any population you will find that *respondents* tend to rate
themselves better. I'm guessing that the low-rating people have little
incentive to put themselves down! Also, in any e-mail list I think we
will find unusual amounts of negativity, competition, and arrogance. I
think that this is because people with these traits have more of an urge
to be heard.

I rated myself as an 8 (of course) thought it's probably not at all
true. Thinking again, I probably deserve a 4-5. I have very good
technical skills, and I'm a decent writer. I could write faster and
better, and I lack experience. A panel of experts should advise me to
listen more and correspond less! I have the arrogance to show off my
knowledge (especially about statistics).

Anyway, the original writer had a good idea. some recognition of our
fallability is useful.

Joe


	 Joe Malin
Technical Writer
(408)625-1623
jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com 
www.tuvox.com
The views expressed in this document are those of the sender, and do not
necessarily reflect those of TuVox, Inc.	

-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-216553 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:bounce-techwr-l-216553 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Lisa
M.Bronson
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2005 6:19 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: New TECHWR-L Poll Question - Your TW Rating


Hi everyone,

This week, we have another poll question suggested by a list member. 
She wrote:

"I generally find the list a great source for sharing information. 
However, there are times when the negativity and competiveness get to
me. (Like today's knowledge management topic.) Less of that and we'd
hear more from the lurking experts (who fear flames and condescension). 
Thanks for stepping in and and shutting down this and similar threads.


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