Kathleen Weldon
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kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Kathleen Weldon
@kathleenweldon.bsky.social
3.2K followers 1.9K following 2.2K posts
Polling data archivist. Posting mostly about old polling and sometimes new politics. Also like reading about food, art, and quirky history. Oh, and I make collages.
www.etsy.com/shop/FataMorganaCollage
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kathleenweldon.bsky.social
The most important Christmas preparation is, of course, the slaughter
Survey questions about most important Christmas preparations, with response options running from gifts to decorating to wood-cutting to cleaning to slaughter.
December 3, 2025 at 10:27 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
And as always, the rocking, the rolling
At some of the rock-and-roll performances that are arranged nowadays, there is often a pretty heated atmosphere, accompanied by rather destructive behavior. That do you think, - has this interest in rocking and rock-and roll arrangements on the part of the youngsters a positive or a negative influence? 1. Positive influence 2. Negative influence. 14b. Why do you think so? If 14a:1 Depends on the persons who participate Youthful self-expression, harmless Rock is rhythm, it's a dance, a new dance, nothing against dancing. It is a form of entertainment, play, diversion Keeps them away from cafees and restaurants They must have something to do, something to be interested in Keeps them away from committing criminal acts, and from other antisod al behavior. Other: Amusing activity, no importance. Young people must be allowed to have some fun 3 It's too wild. 4 They reach ecstasy, they are quite crazy, wrong type of development, a vulgar hobby, quite inhibited, allone wild, too excited: 5. As a mob they get crazy 6 They get worse and worse, many bad things accompany these rocking-sessions. 7. It's sheer nonsense, is not good. 8. The rock-and-roll stars tend too often to be considered as idols or semi-gods. 9. Too much noise and rambling, excitement, quarrels and excesses. Other: Dancing is no good, they are not grown-up yet, has read about it. I. Causes both damage and crimes.
December 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Only the most pressing issues of the day: should church bells be rung to tell children it‘s time to go home?
Survey questions: do children stay out too late and should church bells be rung to send them home, reasons for why support (children have no watches, parents have no authority Reasons why don’t support ringing church bells, including not the purpose of a church bell, parents should do it, and, simply, nonsense
December 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
1959, btw. Can someone tell me what a steering wheel sleigh is?
Survey documentation: A question about steering-wheel sleighs for children Do you think that steering-wheel sleighs are more dangerous for children than for instance, sleighs with no wheels or pedomotive sleighs?
December 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
I’m processing some early Norsk Gallup polls, and this is my new favorite collection.
Hard hitting question about christmas greetings Within a month we shall be writing Christmas greetings again. If we write the usual Christmas and New Year seeing us ones, we get away with a cheaper postage. As for the postages do you think it should be important whether one writes 5 words or more on the greeting card? Yes, should play a role. No, should be of no imporTance. Why? 24b. Otherwise one could write a letter on the greeting card, Christmas cards are not letters. 5 words are sufficient, 5 words should do. Don't need to write more than absolutely necessary.
December 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
#artadventcalendar day three: another tarot card, 3 of wands
Three of wands collage tarot card. A nude figure looks out over hills to the sea, where ships sail. The sly is full of stars, and an old map cuts across the Milky Way. The colors are muted, mostly black and white with a green sea.
December 3, 2025 at 1:38 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
#artadventcalendar Day two, something from the tarot deck:
The mage: tarot card in black and green, a man in robes before a table with the infinity symbol on front. The table holds cup, sword, wand and coin. A large blue hand is behind his head.
December 2, 2025 at 1:49 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Finger Lakes folks, the Christmas in Moravia celebration is this weekend www.fingerlakes.org/events/chris... and features collage from yours truly on display (and for sale) at Mackey Ink tattoo shop in its new location.
Resin-coated original paper collages in a lit display case, looking very shiny and snazzy Collage prints on display on a narrow black wall shelving unit in front of a brick wall, along with some prints from paintings by Jeff Perrault
December 1, 2025 at 11:54 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
I’m going to post some old collage for #artadventcalendar Day one, something simple:
Paper collage of a woman in robes with an ancient Greek pr Roman style on a swing high above a landscape. A road made of wooden boards runs under her feet, while on each side of the road shows a ink drawing of a snowy New England village. In the distance, where the road and snow scene end, a photo of green hills and fields shows before a painted light tan sky.
December 1, 2025 at 12:08 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
You've just died.

The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.

It’s hard to imagine exactly how Buddy Cianci’s mayoral election crosstabs from an Italian-only sample could kill me, but I suppose it’s possible…
Banner book of crosstab results by age and education on vote intention and approval from Buddy Cianci’s 1978 mayoral race (dear god, how long was he mayor?). Handwritten note indicates an Italian-only sample. He held a commanding lead across groups, but was particularly popular among higher educated and early middle aged folks. Sample sizes, as can be typical in political polls, were really small (145) and probably shouldn’t support too much subgroup analysis, but someone was doing it anyway.
November 27, 2025 at 12:45 AM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Ring the Bell. paper collage #artsky
Paper collage. Square format. A tiny figure of a woman in black victorian garb stands at the the top of stairs facing a door. The door is in a type of hedge made of black and white photos of floral ground over. Behind the hedge is a blue sky and a circular metal object rising like a great sun or moon. It’s some kind of scientific instruments, with markings. There is an off center hole in this object, and within it is the painted figure of a nude, head hidden under a raised arm, with a painted blue background, greener than the sky and streaked. The yellow of the metal is reflected in color and shape by a curved central section of hedge, which is sepia toned.
November 26, 2025 at 8:08 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Betty is a good dog
November 23, 2025 at 8:50 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Oh, another for a treat. Also 89.
Another question about which things were in or out. UK Gallup, a) Holidays in China b) Keeping caged birds c) Drinking brandy d) The Common Market e) Topless women on beaches f) Sending children to priyate schools g) Long hair for women h) Acupuncture i) Holidays in Wales j) Keeping animals in zoos Most Out: animals in zoos at 66% and caged birds at 56% Most In: topless women and private schools at 60% each
November 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Ending Friday with coming across another question in my absolute favorite question series from UK Gallup: In or Out?
(1989)
Survey question and handwritten results: Different things, such as products or ideas, can be popular, 'in' fashion, or 'out' of fashion. I am going to read out some items and I would like you to tell me whether you think they are 'in' or 'out' at present. (Read out, reversing order for alternate contacts, and mark an answer for each item) a) Furry dice etc. in cars b) Shopping at Sainsburys c) Pearls d) Hats for men e) Pierced ears for women f) Belief in God g) Flourescent colours h) Getting engaged i) (The name Richard for boys j) Leg warmers Highest In rating: pierced ears for women at 79% Highest Out rating: Furry dice in cars at 69%
November 21, 2025 at 8:25 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Storage visit days mostly consist of telling myself “don’t get distracted!” over and over.
Questionnaire from Market Opinion Research of Michigan on which factors make a vegetable soup more tasty Fresh vegetables, proportion of different tupes of vegetable, seasoning, cooking time, proportion if water to vegetable, type of water (?), size of the vegetable cuttings, temperature at which the soup is cooked, the beef stock. Folders on surveys from MOR, Michigan, late 1970s. Close up from the top view of file labels,
November 19, 2025 at 3:42 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Old polls teach me so much about controversies I never knew existed.
Danish Gallup, March 1963, on the preferred spoken form of numbers
Survey question and topline results: In most languages, including the Northern, numerals are pronounced as they are written, e.g. 56 is pro- nounced femtiseks (fifty six). Many Danes now use this form. Which form do you use as a rule. (Except for cheques etc. ) Use seksoghalvtreds (six and fifty) 88% Use femtiseks (fiftysix) 10% Both. 3% If it were suggested to use the form "femtiseks", would you support or oppose it? Support. 43% Oppose. 46% Don't know 11%
November 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Okay, one more thing: an interviewer asks a reasonable question
Interviewer feedback survey includes a slot for queries regarding interviewing procedures: "What about fierce dogs?"
November 7, 2025 at 9:32 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Finally a 1967 Indian Institute of Public Opinion poll about political engagement asks a question I would love to see fielded now in the States:
If you had some problem that you had to talk about with a government official, such as a question about taxes, agricultural regulations, shortage of water and so on, how do you think that you would be treated? 1 - Politely and with interest for your problem 2 - Politely, with little or no interest for your problem 3 - No interest 4 - Rudely, in a hostile way 5 - It depends 6 - Yes, If I gave money 7 - D.K.
November 7, 2025 at 9:30 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
The USIA World Survey series included the open-ended most important problem question in hundreds of surveys around the world over decades. Here are the Pakistan results from World Survey 1, 1963
What in your opinion is the most important problem facing our country at this time? Kashmir problem 40% All economic problems 30% Education 11% Democracy 7% Fair distribution of wealth 4% National unity 2% Independence 1% Honest government without corruption 1% Others 4% No answer 1%
November 7, 2025 at 9:28 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Also, this question that makes some odd assumptions about walking?
Question about activities in spare time. Groups activities into "related to Western way of life (dancing, bridge)" versus "of a specifically Arabic nature (chess, walking)
November 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Another early multi-country research project was the 1951 BASR Columbia radio survey in the Middle East: Jordan, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt. There are a lot of questions about radio, but other stuff as well, including this pair of questions that must have given respondents cognitive whiplash
How do you feel about the possibility of another world war starting in the next two years? Has anyone come to you for advice lately?
November 7, 2025 at 9:18 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Side note, this survey is also the source of my favorite list of disposition codes:
Non-response because: Would not answer Not to be found at address, holiday, away Ill, deaf, insane, alcoholist, senile Attempted 4 or more times without finding At sea Abroad Dead
November 7, 2025 at 9:13 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
Sticking with the northern realms, there are not many early polls in Iceland. But Norsk Gallup did a long survey on international relations and related topics. Also 1956. Here's some views on capitalism, socialism, and communism
Now I would like to turn to a different subject and ask you about some economic systems. What is your opinion of each of the following types of economic systems- Socialism, Communism, Capitalism. How about socialism? Good+ very good: 23% Fair: 26% Bad + very bad: 27% Don't know: 24% How about communism? Good+ very good: 2% Fair: 9% Bad + very bad: 63% Don't know: 26% What is your opinion of Capitalism. Good+ very good: 20% Fair: 25% Bad + very bad: 25% Don't know: 30%
November 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
First up: A pair of surveys on neutralism conducted by Norsk Gallup in Denmark and Norway in 1956 by USIA. Danish responses below to a question that seems quite relevant this week
Survey question result: U.S. policy greatly exaggerates the dangers of Communism. TOTAL true 32% partly true 27% not at all true 17% will not answer 3% don't know 25%
November 7, 2025 at 9:09 PM
kathleenweldon.bsky.social
The overall tone was interesting too, because it was 100% "what is the bare minimum that you need to do to make money here"? ORC was clearly assuming (rightfully, I'm sure) that execs had to date given zero thought to this, In addition to hiring policy changes, there were marketing considerations
Also, many questions on marketing and the proper advertising approach warrant study on how they apply to the specific company situation. For example -- Do the company's brands or services lend themselves to "neutral" copy treatment that gives both Negroes and Whites the opportunity to identify themselves with the product and its usage? Are Negroes' uses or purchasing patterns for the product so different that it requires a special selling approach? (e.g.: facial powder does show on the Negro skin; not everybody can stay in a Collins Avenue hotel in Florida.) Are the Tastemakers* in the Negro market ready to accept the company's products or services or need they be sold first? In fact, do Tastemakers in the Negro market carry the same influence as Tastemakers among Whites?
November 3, 2025 at 6:38 PM