In response to the article “UM poll: Same-sex marriage supported/ 60% of respondents oppose restrictions” (BDN, May 29-30).

I was both surprised and disappointed to see that the University of Maine would support the publication of findings from such a flawed study.

The researchers started with a relatively small sample of 500 people. Of those, only 115 (or 23 percent) actually participated in the study, a very low percentage of respondents. Since only 115 people were involved (39 of whom were from the University of Maine), when the researchers report that 60 percent of the residents in Greater Bangor favor gay marriage, they are basing that statement on approximately 69 respondents out of an original sample pool of 500.

In addition, I assume that the sampling area of Greater Bangor would include Bangor, Brewer, Orono, Old Town and Hampden. Yet, 34.8 percent of the total respondents polled were from the University of Maine, an institution well known for its liberal leanings.

Certainly, the number of people at the University of Maine represent far less than 34.8 percent of the population of Greater Bangor, and yet 34.8 percent of the data collected in the study comes from that source. I seriously doubt that opinions garnered at the university are representative of the opinions of typical residents of Greater Bangor.

If the Orono campus is to publicize itself as the major research institution within the University of Maine System, greater control and scrutiny needs to be exercised in its research endeavors. The publication of results from studies as flawed as this study is both misleading and potentially damaging.

Clyde Folsom

Bangor