While the CareerBuilder survey results cited here may look good to some, one should question the statistical significance of the numbers presented.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on February 6, 2009, that the latest numbers had brought "the total job loss since the recession began in December 2007 to 3.6 million." So, to start with, CareerBuilder's survey sample size in relation to the total unemployed population is less than 2.25%. That's very small when you're looking at more than three million people. And there is evidence to suggest that the Bureau's unemployment numbers are low, not high.
Furthermore, as noted in this article, the survey was conducted online. This presents a significant bias, since only people who use computers and the Internet would have participated in the survey.
Bottom line, the CareerBuilder survey results are not not strong enough to allow us to draw the conclusion presented here.
Why have I taken the time to write this post? Because it is vitally important that everyone understands just how bad the situation is. We must not delude ourselves into complacency. Contact your Congressmen, your Senators. Tell them you are not convinced that things are improving, and demand more action; swift action. The economy will not recover until everyone has a job and an income, debt is reduced, borrowing commences, and consumer confidence increases.
Statistical significance
While the CareerBuilder survey results cited here may look good to some, one should question the statistical significance of the numbers presented.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on February 6, 2009, that the latest numbers had brought "the total job loss since the recession began in December 2007 to 3.6 million." So, to start with, CareerBuilder's survey sample size in relation to the total unemployed population is less than 2.25%. That's very small when you're looking at more than three million people. And there is evidence to suggest that the Bureau's unemployment numbers are low, not high.
Furthermore, as noted in this article, the survey was conducted online. This presents a significant bias, since only people who use computers and the Internet would have participated in the survey.
Bottom line, the CareerBuilder survey results are not not strong enough to allow us to draw the conclusion presented here.
Why have I taken the time to write this post? Because it is vitally important that everyone understands just how bad the situation is. We must not delude ourselves into complacency. Contact your Congressmen, your Senators. Tell them you are not convinced that things are improving, and demand more action; swift action. The economy will not recover until everyone has a job and an income, debt is reduced, borrowing commences, and consumer confidence increases.
Thanks for the thoughtful post
You make some excellent points.
Terri Stone
Editor in Chief, CreativePro.com