National Defence spent thousands on superheroes poll to help Canadian Forces
Dean Beeby OTTAWA, Ont. — The Canadian Press Friday, Dec. 27 2013
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/national-defence-spent-thousands-on-superheroes-poll-to-help-canadian-forces/article16111437/
Defence researchers spent almost $14,000 on a survey that asked whether superheroes can leap over skyscrapers.
The study for the research arm of National Defence also asked 150 people online whether superheroes can fly through the air; see through walls; hear whispers from miles away; become invisible; and walk through walls.
The oddball questions were part of a short study completed in October to help the Canadian Forces “win the hearts and minds” of the local populations it faces when deployed overseas, such as recently in Afghanistan.
Some of the questions were designed to probe people’s expectations about – as the study put it – “supernatural categories that are so prevalent in popular culture and religion.”
The study was carried out by Toronto researcher M. Afzal Upal for Defence Research and Development Canada, or DRDC.
National Defence spokesman Noel Paine said the project included a $13,750 payment to the University of Toronto for data collection.
“Work on this study was also done by internal DRDC staff,” Paine said in Ottawa.
More on link
Dean Beeby OTTAWA, Ont. — The Canadian Press Friday, Dec. 27 2013
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/national-defence-spent-thousands-on-superheroes-poll-to-help-canadian-forces/article16111437/
Defence researchers spent almost $14,000 on a survey that asked whether superheroes can leap over skyscrapers.
The study for the research arm of National Defence also asked 150 people online whether superheroes can fly through the air; see through walls; hear whispers from miles away; become invisible; and walk through walls.
The oddball questions were part of a short study completed in October to help the Canadian Forces “win the hearts and minds” of the local populations it faces when deployed overseas, such as recently in Afghanistan.
Some of the questions were designed to probe people’s expectations about – as the study put it – “supernatural categories that are so prevalent in popular culture and religion.”
The study was carried out by Toronto researcher M. Afzal Upal for Defence Research and Development Canada, or DRDC.
National Defence spokesman Noel Paine said the project included a $13,750 payment to the University of Toronto for data collection.
“Work on this study was also done by internal DRDC staff,” Paine said in Ottawa.
More on link
