Survey Software HQ

Prezza Technologies has released a variety of training videos that explain some of the more complex topics related to online surveys. Although designed to be used with CHECKBOX Survey, these videos are conceptual in nature and will asssist users of almost any survey package: http://www.prezzatech.com/training Also while you are there, check out this Survey Software Review about Checkbox Survey.
Labels: survey software

Excerpt: A Forrester survey for Unisys shows over half of large enterprises now use open source for mission critical operations. Four out of five (79%) use it in what Forrester calls their “application infrastructure” — databases, Web servers, application servers. The point of the survey was to show that these customers want more services from vendors, things like maintenance, life cycle support, integration and application development. This is the “sweet spot” for companies like Unisys, and has been the sweet spot at IBM for several years now.

FROM THE CALSTATE FRESNO COLLEGIAN.
Of those polled, 84 percent of students reported that they regularly use their cell phones for sending and receiving text messages. Of those who text, 70 percent admitted to text messaging while in class.
Excerpt from the article: In a generation of technology and information, students have the ability to engage in constant communication with others, but this practice may actually harm their education, according to a recent poll. The informal survey conducted around the Fresno State campus revealed some prevalent issues regarding students’ usage of text messaging. It looked at the frequency of text messaging by students and their attitudes about its effects in the classroom. “This is a multi-tasking generation and many people think they’re not being distracted,” said Dr. Tamyra Pierce, a Fresno State associate professor of mass communication and journalism. The survey, which was distributed to Fresno State students of ranging class levels, looked at their regular use of text messaging. In particular, it focused on the frequency of text messaging while in class. Of those polled, 84 percent of students reported that they regularly use their cell phones for sending and receiving text messages. Of those who text, 70 percent admitted to text messaging while in class. “I’m not at all surprised by this,” Pierce said. “I see it all the time.” Pierce, who has conducted formal surveys of her own regarding the use of text messaging and MySpace among high school students, said 47 to 49 percent of students text message and 10 percent admitted to text messaging during an exam. The real question: Is this frequent text messaging harmful to students’ educations? The informal campus poll revealed that 64 percent of students believe that text messaging in class draws their attention away from lectures. “Several semesters ago I had to go to a ‘no cell phones in sight’ policy because it just got out of control,” Pierce said. “Students think they can do it all and they won’t be distracted, but I think they are.” Many students, however, say that their studies are not affected by their texting habits. Fresno State junior Amy Munson admits to texting on a daily basis. “I actually have a Sidekick and a cell phone for texting and I’m on them all the time,” said Munson, a communication major. “Honestly, I text to stay awake in class,” Munson said. “As long as I’m constantly doing something, then I won’t completely zone out on what the teacher’s saying. It almost helps me listen because at least I’m getting bits and pieces.” Fresno State senior Martin Campanella believes the prevalence of text messaging also depends on the type of classes students are in. “I’m an engineering major,” Campanella said. “It’s mostly guys in my classes, so you don’t see it as much. I think girls text a lot more. It is like they can’t wait to talk about all this stuff.” Kevin Tague, a third-year health science major, said he rarely text messages but it still affects his concentration. “You hear it all the time,” Tague said. “Even when phones are on vibrate it gets annoying.” But this scattered concentration and distraction is what Pierce warns students about. “You get so engrossed in it and sure you may only miss this much, but that small amount may be what’s on the exam,” Pierce said. While Pierce has enacted a no cell phone policy in her class, many teachers have yet to go that far. Munson said some teachers do get more of her attention than others. “If someone’s just standing there for an hour talking, guaranteed half the class isn’t going to hear a thing,” Munson said. “I definitely get more involved when there’s interaction in group work and then I won’t text.”

Companies get closer to their customers by asking small questions after certain transactions.

IN RETAIL

Ever wonder why the clerk at the pet food store asked you for your zip code? It’s to gather more information about where their customers come from. That information, combined with the amount of money that customer spent, allows a company to make better decisions about where to advertise, and what types of messages to use.

AFTER SUPPORT CALL

“You recently received support from Prezza Technologies.We strive to provide the best customer satisfaction possible, so please take a moment to answer these questions:

For the following questions, please rate the support you received on a scale of 1 - 5 (5 is the best, 1 is the worst):

1. Speed of Response.

2. Attention to Detail.

3. Customer Service Rep Friendliness.”

Surveys like the retail example and the support example are called “transactional” because companies are introducing a method of capturing feedback at a typical transaction event. People are much more likely to respond if surveys are not just mass emailed to people, and can be much more effective when conducted by a person. Our survey software can work on the web or over mobile devices.

Personally, out of all the types of surveys one could do, I find the longitudinal variety to be the most interesting and the most informative, simply because a trend/behavior is being tracked over a period of years.

The good news is that you don’t have to wait 10 years to conduct your second survey. Longitudinal studies that go back in time are called retrospective studies and would be used where a researcher investigates recorded bahevior over the years (population, medical records, etc) and uses todays number to make a statement.

One of the more famous around the area I grew up, is the Framingham Heart Study. I have a few friends that go out to Framingham every few years to get their blood taken and levels checked. They are in the third generation of program participants. Most of the now common knowledge concerning heart disease, such as the effects of diet, exercise, and common medications such as aspirin, are based on this longitudinal study.

If you like the idea of a repeating, long-term survey, there’s a neat documentary series you could watch called “Seven Up!” which follows the lives of 14 British children starting in 1964. Each new film in the series (Seven Up, Seven plus Seven, 21 Up, 28 Up, 35 Up, 42 Up, 49 Up, etc) profiles the lives of the participants at 7 year intervals. It’s not very exciting compared to some of the blockbusters or short web clips of today, but provides a much more lasting impact and effect.

Here’s some more longitudinal surveys/studys.

Dunedin Longitudinal Study
Minnesota Twin Family Study
World Values Survey (repeated cross-sectional)
Panel Study on Income Dynamics
German Socio-economic Panel Study
British Household Panel Survey
Seven Up!
Born in Bradford
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey
Luxembourg Income Study (LIS)
Wisconsin Longitudinal Study
Panel Study of Belgian Households