Should SE implement a way to poll the playerbase?

[HyoMinPark]

I think we're a little lost in the weeds - I think it's important to note that polls are generally structured something like this:

The removal of Kaiten from samurai was an improvement to the job's gameplay.
1. Strongly Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Neutral / Don't Know
4. Agree
5. Strongly Agree

An improvement would be to separate Neutral from Don't Know to prevent artificial emphasis on neutrality from subjects who simply aren't familiar with the topic, but regardless of that, the point is that polls generally don't afford room for nuanced responses - just pick from the multiple-choice options provided.

There's no room for commentary from whatever wealth of knowledge the player has, just "how much do you agree with this statement?" or a general negative-to-positive scale.

I agree—this is likely how the polls would be structured. I suppose the conversation has shifted more into in-depth feedback commentary that would likely exist outside of a poll. Though open-ended questions are possible, they are a bit harder to consolidate into data depending on sample sizes.

Questions that have a 1-to-5 rating scale can be qualified a bit more with questions on experience levels.

“Do you play SAM in FFXIV?”
1. Yes
2. No

And then further questions like “How often do you play SAM” on a scale of Very infrequently/Never to Very frequently/All the time; and “what types of content do you play SAM in? Check all that apply.” So the qualifications can exist with more specific questions; data can then be filtered based on answers to the above.

[MikoRemi]

I agree—this is likely how the polls would be structured. I suppose the conversation has shifted more into in-depth feedback commentary that would likely exist outside of a poll. Though open-ended questions are possible, they are a bit harder to consolidate into data depending on sample sizes.

Questions that have a 1-to-5 rating scale can be qualified a bit more with questions on experience levels.

“Do you play SAM in FFXIV?”
1. Yes
2. No

And then further questions like “How often do you play SAM” on a scale of Very infrequently/Never to Very frequently/All the time; and “what types of content do you play SAM in? Check all that apply.” So the qualifications can exist with more specific questions; data can then be filtered based on answers to the above.

That would be at least better than just letting anyone weigh in. There does need to be some kind of filter especially given this is FF14, the game where much of the population plays incorrectly even in hardcore content let alone the more casual content. If anyone is going to be doing anything regarding class changes, they better know their classes well since those changes will affect everyone.

[cjbeagle]

I agree—this is likely how the polls would be structured. I suppose the conversation has shifted more into in-depth feedback commentary that would likely exist outside of a poll. Though open-ended questions are possible, they are a bit harder to consolidate into data depending on sample sizes.

Questions that have a 1-to-5 rating scale can be qualified a bit more with questions on experience levels.

“Do you play SAM in FFXIV?”
1. Yes
2. No

And then further questions like “How often do you play SAM” on a scale of Very infrequently/Never to Very frequently/All the time; and “what types of content do you play SAM in? Check all that apply.” So the qualifications can exist with more specific questions; data can then be filtered based on answers to the above.

Exactly my thoughts - and the data consolidation probably the most important facet because the entire point of polling as opposed to forums would be to have the maximum possible sample size instead of the same 100 or so voices we see in any given forum subdivision, so the responses need to be quantifiable.

I have nothing but love for all the samurai who have been towing the line here on the forums, but I can't help but wonder how many more there are whose voices haven't been heard and whether or not polling might be a good way to gather their feedback.