What's it(s) mean?

[j4]

I asked AQA: "What's the average length of time for which UK jobs at AQA are advertised on the website? i.e. How long does it take for all/any positions to be filled? Thanks!"

AQA replied: "There's no average length of time, it just depends on the number of vacancies and the response. AQA advises applying immediately when they're advertised."

Now, call me a pedant, but I don't believe it's technically true that there's "no average length of time". I can entirely believe that they don't set a maximum or minimum length of time, and/or that they just don't want to tell me, but that's an entirely different kettle of question marks.

Comments

[j4.livejournal.com]

Do you mean I should have specified more clearly that I was asking for statistical data on the adverts which had already been posted and taken down, rather than probabilistic data on all adverts which might be posted in the future?

I wonder if there is a market for a pedant's Questions Answered service, where SWITCH NOBOYDIE is never assumed, and a carelessly phrased question can result in entirely the wrong answer. It would be a lot of fun to work for, if nothing else.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Do you mean I should have specified more clearly that I was asking for statistical data on the adverts which had already been posted and taken down, rather than probabilistic data on all adverts which might be posted in the future?

Oh good. *I* thought that's what you *were* asking, but I wasn't 100% sure. But someone sufficiently pedantic to take the other interpretation would surely never say "there is no average" without being more specific; even if they were entirely correct they would no doubt be unable to keep themselves from exhibiting an example distribution, even if not the real one :)

Ooh, no, I have it. There must be only one legitimate interpretation of the sentence, and he's challenged us to find it. Like the FAQ said, if he can't answer he'll provide an interesting nugget...

pedant's Questions Answered service

I think it would be eminently entertaining. Asking your friends list will probably have the desired result, of course :)