When conducting any survey, one of the most important concerns a researcher has is in eliminating bias. Even if the bias is unintentional, if your survey is biased in any way, the results will be unreliable or misleading. As declared in the first verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam, “The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all.” Bias prevents the discovery of truth. Therefore, both researchers and devotees have a common interest in eliminating bias.

My overall assessment of the survey is that while some of the questions are reasonable and interesting and not without some utility for ISKCON policymakers, the survey itself is strongly biased to produce results that reflect the opinion of the survey’s sponsor. In the survey there are various problems of response bias, especially framing bias, and also selection bias. It is also apparent that those who created the survey are unfamiliar with some of the basic principles of survey design. Prior experience and training do matter.

Now, I will present examples of these different biases. After that, I will address some general epistemological issues related to this survey and its purposes.Continue Reading

Share:

Excerpt from “Memories-Anecdotes of a Modern-Day Saint”  by Siddhanta das www.prabhupadamemories.com “Health is number one, chanting is number two, service is number three, and then comes reading,” Prabhupada said, “Don’t leave any one of them out. There is a spirit soul in every single one of them.”  Kusa: I was only ableContinue Reading

Share:

  We have received the following health update about H.H. Bhakti Raghava Maharaj. This update was received on 16th April 2021 at 10 PM. The good news is Maharaj’s temperature came down, from 102 degrees to 98 degrees after medication Maharaj feeling little relief after 15 days. The RTPCR resultContinue Reading

Share:

Dear devotees, Namo Namaha. Jaya Srila Prabhupada! Akincana.net has received the following information through H.G. Basu Ghosh Prabhu about the present condition of H.H. Rupa Raghunath Swami (LOK).  H.G. Basu Ghosh Prabhu told Akincana today that “Over the phone, he received a report on the present health situation of HHContinue Reading

Share:

  The world observes ISKCON Gaur Purnima Celebrations Although there was a low physical turnout of foreign devotees, this year on the occasion Of 535th Appearance day celebrations of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, traditionally celebrated as Gaur Purnima, due to its availability of International flights. However, the enthusiasm of the devotees wasContinue Reading

Share:

Hare Krishna dear devotees. Respectful obeisances to one and all. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! On the auspicious occasion of Gaura Purnima, we are launching new products made by devotees for devotees. Dhotis and kurtas are available at special prices for a limited time at the below LINK. https://amsuweaves.com/5Continue Reading

Share:

श्रीगौरपू्र्णिमा [श्रीचैतन्य महाप्राभु जन्म] तथा होलि महोत्सवशुभावसरे अभिनंदनम् ! ।। Sri Gaur Purnima shubhaavasare abhinandanam! Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Sri Gaur Purnima [appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu] and holi Mahotsav! On this auspicious Day of Gaur Purnima HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj has given Sannyasa initiation to HGContinue Reading

Share: