Professor of Applied Statistics and Data Visualization Casper Albers does not want to hear about this. ‘I have not often seen such a high ‘We from Toilet Duck’ level.’
In collaboration with a number of students from Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the foundation has conducted a survey about what residents of the Northern Netherlands think of Groningen Airport Eelde. The survey showed that 78 percent of the 2,800 participants in the survey consider their own airport in the Northern Netherlands important. ‘A very nice score’, says Friends of board member Roel Hazewinkel. The airport itself is also happy with the outcome.
Bias
The survey could be completed on the website of the Friends of Groningen Airport Eelde, which was subsequently distributed via local newspapers and websites and via social media. According to Casper Albers, that is where the biggest problem lies.
‘People who want to stay informed about the VGAE through social media, these are generally people who are in front of the airport. They are undoubtedly overrepresented in the results.’
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Guiding question
Another problem, according to Albers, is the question. ‘Sometimes it’s quite guiding.’ Albers found the question about nuisance at the airport particularly strange. Eighty percent of the respondents (strongly) disagree with this statement.
‘The question about nuisance is only interesting if you ask it among people who live directly around the airport. That is not interesting for people who live in Emmen or Sneek, for example, because they live so far from the airport that they naturally do not experience any nuisance.’
In general, you cannot immediately expect a solid method from students
On the question of whether people would rather fly via Eelde than via another airport: ‘That is an enormous open door. Of course, I also prefer a 10-minute bus ride to an airport than a three-hour train ride. But that’s no proof whatsoever that we think we should have our own airport here.’
Confusion
The fact that the logo of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences is also included with the report also creates confusion. “It gives the impression that solid scientific work has been done here, but this report certainly isn’t.” Albers also emphasizes that he does not blame the students involved. ‘For example, I don’t know what education they are from. But in general you cannot immediately expect a solid method from students. Of course they have to learn that, and that’s perfectly fine.’
We just covered ourselves against amateurism
Hazewinkel admits that this is not a scientifically substantiated study. ‘But we have protected ourselves against amateurism by not doing it ourselves,’ he says. ‘We have specifically involved the students of Hanze University of Applied Sciences, as they are supervised by an expert lecturer with expertise in this field. And the number who are positive about the airport remains standing. We are in favor of Groningen Airport Eelde and we feel supported by this research.’
Groningen Airport Eelde itself is also pleased with the results of the survey. “The results show that there is a lot of support for the airport,” says a spokesperson. ‘We are very happy with that. The research was carried out by students of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, we have no doubts about the quality they have delivered. And maybe this professor can help us with the research next time, it will probably improve.’
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– More than half of noise nuisance complaints at Eelde airport come from two reporters
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