Capacity Needs Assessment Surveys Agenda for 2/17/09

We are here 2/10 Chapter 5 all (skim samples) Set time over next two weeks to collect data. 2/12 Chapter 4 (skim samples) Homework map the space of the organization; conduct interviews/observations Due 2/17 Survey: Case Study Due 2/19 Chapter 6 (skim samples) Homework: compile organization’s structure, capacities and needs; continue data collection Due 2/24 Read model asset papers: genre analysis: Due 2/26 Compile paper sections design paper template together, assign sections to write T: 3/3 Capacity Needs Paper draft due TH: 3/5 Capacity Needs final due, transition to proposals

Agenda Introduction to data collection tools, cont.’ What a survey gathers What good surveys do What to do with results: descriptive statistics Activity: Develop a survey and a list of possible tackers Homework

Objectives Good Surveys develop a set of objectives for your research and list out the information that you are trying to capture. This list of objectives and research goals will serve as your plan for the survey questionniare.

Objectives, cont.’ The instructions/consent form set forth the objectives. “You are about to be given a survey to see what you think about your organization’s resources. This is not a test, and it will not be graded. Instead, we think your opinions are important and we want to know what you think. Please feel free to stop the survey at anytime and to tell us what you really think, since there are no right or wrong answers.”

Data Gathered with Surveys Structured or Fixed Response Questions –offer the respondent a closed set of responses from which to choose Likert scale, Check all that apply, Yes/no, and Ranking

Data Gathered with Surveys Structured or Fixed Response Questions –Have the benefits of being easy to score –Generating a stream of data that can be graphically represented –Give you a set of data to analyze using descriptive statistics (mean, median and mode) Open ended questions –Help generate new ideas –Must be quoted and are individual –Can lead to good follow -up interview questions.

Data Gathered with Surveys Likert scale questions gather –Levels of enjoyment (Unsatisfied, Somewhat Satisfied, Satisfied, Very Satisfied, Extremely Satisfied) –Preferences (really dislike, dislike, its okay, like, really like) –Strength of agreement (strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, ambivalent, somewhat agree, strongly agree)

Data Gathered with Surveys “Check all that apply” allow you to triangulate your initial findings and get a sense of general patterns –We have the following resources available to us at AIC PrintersBankers’ expertise ComputersCPA expertise Turbo Tax Instructional Space CalculatorsConnection to someone in the IRS

Data Gathered with Surveys Yes/no –Allow you to gather facts Do you have a driver’s license: yes/no Ranking –Allow you to order goals, objectives, resources in the order of their importance to stakeholders Please rank the following according to the amount of time you spend with them in your everyday work. 1 indicates the most time spent.

Good Survey Questions 1) Use clear, jargon free language 2) Use specific language. Words, like “future”, are too general. Try 'In the next 3 months'. 3) Ask for only one piece of 411/? "Do you like to dance and sing? Yes/No" is wrong, because someone may like to dance but not to sing.

Good Survey Questions 4. Use catch alls to allow for possibilities you had not anticipated in your structured questions (e.g. A list followed by Other_____) 5. Your answers provided are clearly separate from each other. (e.g. How many hours do you spend on recruiting new clients? 0-2; 3-5; 6-8) 6. Your document/set of questions tells people how long this will take 7. You group types of questions with their appropriate responses.

Bad Survey Questions 1. Ask two questions at once: double barreling 2. Ask leading questions 3. Make an assumption about the kinds of 411 your respondent has (like using an acronym) 4. Use a scale that changes language or is mutually inclusive e.g. Really hate, sorta hate, kinda cool, cool, totally cool e.g. 0-2 hours; 2-4 hours; 4-6 hours

What to do with survey data? Compile answers in a spreadsheet Excel will allow you to do simple statistics =SUM(D19:D25) =(D19-D2) Excel will also allow you to do general graphs of data reported/collected Or you can do the math by hand and use word>objects to graphically represent

What to do with survey data? Data collection and results are discussed overall Each question or group of questions become talking points in your papers as needed Each graph is integrated into the analysis section 17% of the respondents reported a strong disagreement about the level of computer support they’re receiving.

What to do with survey data? Provide caveats about sample size: N=30 is okay for a psych test, for a community or organization a small sample size is N=100 For our purposes, a survey size will depend completely on your group’s needs. Each question or group of questions become talking points in your papers as needed Each graph is integrated into the analysis section 17% of the respondents reported a strong disagreement about the level of computer support they’re receiving.

Activity Get with your group and take out your rendition of the surveys offered on our Angel site. What might you find if you conducted this survey? To whom would you give this survey? Share sample questions and develop one survey for your group Post your survey onto our angel site under your group’s folder

Homework Continue interviews/observations Make sure your survey questions are posted Read chapter 6 and begin looking for patterns in the data you’ve collected

Looking forward Next class we’ll begin the work of trying to represent our organizations in our reports We’ll work with your survey questions and data analysis We’ll get status reports from your groups.