Research Relevant Professional Development- Dr.Betsy Quintero Learning task #1 Project #1 Summarization of survey at annual conference by Vince Crary

The purpose of my survey at annual conference was to get answers from those attending regarding annual conferences value, location, and how much effort they put into preparation for the conference.

Six hundred-sixty people registered for the MN Extension annual conference in Duluth. My questionnaire was located in the registration area by the message board.

I had prepared two hundred survey sheets, and I had purchased three hundred-thirty-six candy kisses as a reward for filling out the survey. The completion of the survey was completely voluntary and took approximately one minute to fill out.

My survey was out by noon on Monday, the first day of the conference, and I discontinued the survey on Wednesday at noon. I discontinued the project on Wednesday because all the candy was gone, and I wasn't getting any more surveys filled out. I had eighty-one surveys filled out, and all three hundred-thirty-six pieces of candy were gone.

I took time when possible to watch my survey area. I don't feel the candy idea was all bad, but many people just took the candy and did not bother to fill out the survey. The project had a sign that asked people to please fill out a survey and enjoy a peanut butter kiss. I also had a "please" and "thank you" on the sign. (See enclosed photograph.) I provided pencils and a box to put the completed surveys in.

Survey participation: Eighty-one surveys were filled out. Forty-one men, thirty-two of whom were Extension Educators and nine others, completed the survey. The "other" group included support staff, state specialists, and administration. Forty women, sixteen of whom were Extension Educators and twenty-four others filled out the survey. The majority of the "other" group was support staff, NEA's - Nutrition Education Assistants, and administration. The low number of women Extension Educators filling out the survey surprised me. I was pleased to get a total of eighty-one surveys back; that represents 12% of those who registered.

Survey results: Question #1. Value of attending annual conference: Low Medium High Very High Women 1 12 19 7 Men 2 15 17 7

Question #2. Location of annual conference: Move One Women 28 11 Men 20 20

Question #3. How much of the conference will or did you attend? Days 1 2 3 4 Women 1 5 12 22 Men 0 7 15 18

Question #4. Did you review all the information sent before coming to the conference? Yes No Very little Some Most Women 33 7 0 3 4 Men 23 18 3 10 5

Question #5. Did you look at the annual conference web site? Yes No Women 28 12 Men 17 24

Looking at the results question by question: #1. The majority of those responding, both women and men, place a high to very high value on attending the annual conference.

#2. The majority would like to see annual conference move around the state. On this question the men split 50 - 50 and one did not answer. The women by more than 2 to 1 wish to see the conference move.

#3. The majority of the men attended three days or less, while the majority of the women attended for four days.

#4. The majority of the women and more than half of the men reviewed all the conference information sent out. Of the ones who did not review it all, the majority looked at some to most of it.

#5. The majority of the men did not look at the web site, while the majority of the women did.

What did I learn from this project? - A survey is a good tool to use to gather information. - If you want people to voluntarily fill out your survey, it must be well displayed and convenient for people to complete. - A short, five question survey worked well. - I had candy as a reward for filling out the survey. If you do this, have plenty of candy, as people will take candy and not fill out the survey. - A survey is a good way to get people's opinions about specific questions. - 12% of the population is far from the majority, but it does give you a feel for opinions of the population. - I was surprised by the results of the survey. I thought most people would want to have the conference in one location, Brainerd. I also figured most people would attend for only two or three days.

Looking at the results: People value annual conference highly. People want the conference moved around the state. A three to four day conference looks to be the correct length for most people. Also, most people do use the information sent to them in advance, and the World Wide Web is a popular way to get information.

-- Anonymous, January 23, 1999

Answers

I think it is important that even though the return rate on surveys is almost always low, we do learn something new from them. Fine job. Thanks.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 1999

Nice job on your presentation, Vince!! You were brave to go first. Kari

-- Anonymous, March 04, 1999