Hmmmm....I'm not even sociologist, but I'm generally aware that the use of poll data is routine in social sciences research.
Are you aware that Gallup collects scientifically-valid poll data designed by professional statisticians?
Are you aware that professional and statistically-valid poll data, and Census data is routinely used in sociological research? I'm not even a social scientist, but a hack like me is at least dimly aware of that!
I thought most people who went to college, or are fairly well-read, were at least generally aware of that. Oh well, I guess not!
At any rate, I'll chalk you up as another rightwinger who thinks they know more than women on scientific crap. I think that was the whole finding of the study - that dudes are absolutely convinced they know more (than women), even when they don't.
Sheesh man, you dudes take things too seriously. Don't let a sociological study threaten your masculinity, bro! Lighten up, and laugh at yourself once in a while!