PJ Media

Sam2: It depends on what a “main street” means. On a “main drag” you’d be less likely to find residences.

Yes but that doesn’t change the fact that ignoring those residences produces a bias.

sam2:The people planting IED’s or car bombs, or participating in attacks on military convoys passing through, or having “work accidents”, would likely be living on the nearby residential streets that were by definition (“crossing the main street”) singled out for the survey.

Where the insurgents live is not particularly relevant as I doubt they set IED’s off next to their own houses.

Also choosing a house on a cross street, as was done in the study, does not necessarily mean it is ‘nearby’. It could be miles away.