Survey Archive - Past & Present
A collection of research studies and surveys conducted by international laboratories. New results always welcome. Read below for survey tips.
Abstract
The following research reports are provided by the Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division as an information resource to the general public, educators, elected representatives, community groups, safety advisors, and other researchers. These reports provide a concise summary of polling and survey results and related research findings regarding Dihydrogen Monoxide from investigators all over the world.
Survey Reports Archive
The following reports are listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent results appearing first.
120508
The Westlake Experiment
Westlake High School
Westlake Village, CA
Jesse Hu
Results
This landmark study, "The Westlake Experiment: A Student Survey to Ban DHMO" was part of an AP Statistics project. A total of 379 students were surveyed using a questionnaire form that gave one of three questions and asked for room/teacher and grade level. 15 students refused, leaving 364 responses.
Question 1 (Control)
| Total people surveyed | 118 | 100% |
| Yes (ban DHMO) | 40 | 34% |
| No | 78 | 66% |
Question 2 (Negative framing)
| Total people surveyed | 126 | 100% |
| Yes | 79 | 63% |
| No | 47 | 37% |
Question 3 (Positive framing)
| Total people surveyed | 120 | 100% |
| Yes | 33 | 28% |
| No | 87 | 72% |
Discussion
This makes a total of 152 "yes" responses favoring a ban of Dihydrogen Monoxide, or 41.8% of survey participants. Compared to other studies, results were more undecided than expected.
Question 2 clearly slants the question in favor of "yes," but the difference caused by Question 3 was slight (though still statistically significant).
Freshmen (51.4%) were more likely to ban DHMO than sophomores (44.1%), juniors (35.8%), and seniors (38.6%). Some dissenters cited chemistry classes as influencing their responses. Notably, 33 students remained in favor of a ban even after exposure to benefits.
Data from this survey is available in an Excel spreadsheet.
112508
The Montezuma Dihydrogen Monoxide Study
Montezuma, Georgia
Results
The largest study of its kind to date was undertaken in Montezuma, Georgia. A total of 317 people were surveyed and asked to sign a petition.
| Total people surveyed | 317 | 100% |
| Signed petition favoring a ban | 150 | 47% |
| Signed petition opposing a ban | 167 | 53% |
| Did not sign petition | 0 | 0% |
Commentary
Researchers noted a counter-intuitive result: a majority opposing a ban. Some attributed this to educational effects, while others suggested possible regional variation in DHMO perception.
Researchers concluded DHMO may be more critical to human life than previously believed. Further study recommended.
021308
Petition to Ban the Use of Dihydrogen Monoxide
Hoover High School
Hoover, Alabama
Results
Total of 62 people were surveyed after being given information derived from DHMO.org.
| Signed petition proposing a ban | 56 | 90% |
| Did not sign (opposed ban) | 4 | 6% |
| Did not sign (opposed petitions) | 2 | 3% |
Format
Participants were given a summary of DHMO dangers, uses, and occurrences, then asked to sign a petition supporting a ban.
Other
All dissenters cited chemistry education as influencing their opposition. Researchers suggested this indicates potential bias introduced by science education.
050807
Student Survey on DHMO
Charlestown Middle School
Results
Students were surveyed regarding support for a ban of DHMO.
| Total people surveyed | 43 | 100% |
| Favor ban | 32 | 74% |
| Oppose ban | 11 | 26% |
| Undecided | 0 | 0% |
Students later reversed their position after recognizing ambiguity in DHMO’s perceived dangers versus benefits.
103106
Global Science course DHMO survey
Maine
Results
Students were presented information from DHMO.org, followed by discussion and Q&A.
| Total people surveyed | 17 | 100% |
| Favoring ban | 12 | 71% |
| Against ban | 5 | 29% |
| Undecided | 0 | 0% |
040405
Student Survey on DHMO
Phoenix, Arizona
Results
A list of dangers, uses, and occurrences of DHMO was provided prior to voting.
| Total people surveyed | 50 | 100% |
| Favor ban | 39 | 78% |
| Oppose ban | 7 | 14% |
| Undecided | 4 | 8% |
030004
To Ban or Not to Ban
Eagle Pass High School
Results
| Total people surveyed | 518 | 100% |
| Ban DHMO | 319 | 62% |
| Do not ban DHMO | 109 | 21% |
| Undecided | 90 | 17% |
Researchers noted that high information literacy may have influenced responses.
101400
Survey to Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide
Stockton, California
Results
| Total people surveyed | 228 | 100% |
| Ban DHMO | 224 | 98.3% |
| Do not ban DHMO | 3 | 1.3% |
| Undecided | 1 | 0.4% |
090700
Notre Dame DHMO Study
University of Notre Dame
Results (Fall 2000)
| Support ban | 59% | |
| Against ban | 41% | |
| Undecided | 0% |
Results (Spring 2000)
| Support ban | 86% | |
| Against ban | 14% | |
| Undecided | 0% |
Survey conditions were informal; further studies planned.
71399
Campaign to Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide in Chemistry Laboratories
Results
This campaign collected 341 signatures calling for a full ban on DHMO.
- 45% of teachers favored the ban.
- 12–18 year-old female students were most likely to sign.
- Some groups showed up to 64% support, others up to 61% opposition.
Overall, researchers found that approximately 50% of participants were influenced by prior opinions.
031599
Petition to Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide
Results
An ongoing online petition collected over 50 signatures. No opposing statistics recorded.
120598
Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide Petition
Results
| In favor of ban | 85 | |
| Against ban | 110 | |
| Undecided | 10 |
Results suggest regional variation in DHMO perception.
101298
Should Dihydrogen Monoxide be Banned?
Results
Participants were provided a list of alleged dangers before voting.
| Total people surveyed | 50 | |
| Signed in favor of ban | 44 | |
| Against ban | 5 | |
| Refused | 1 |
060198
In Support of a Ban of DHMO
Results
Participants were given a list of harmful properties of DHMO before voting.
| Total people surveyed | 50 | |
| In favor of ban | 43 | |
| Against ban | 1 | |
| Uncommitted | 6 |