duffysmom:
"Completely anonymous." That's what the folks from USF assure us. And, I am 99.9999% certain that that's true.
Yes, each survey is (will be) coded with a tracking number. Theorhetically, that number could be tracked to you, personally, BUT, it would take a dedicated and hard-working slueth to decode it.
The tracking number was assigned to be sure that the results don't expose 1,000, 100 or even 2 responses from the same number.
True, the number of surveys each home will receive was determined by an analysis of TV homeowner data. Thus, if TV records show that there are 3 people at 1234 Whatever Street, then there will be 3 surveys for that address, each with a different tracking number.
As one who once upon a time designed and administered surveys, always seeking anonimity yet completeness, I have been hugely impressed by the original design of this study.
Yes, it will ask personal questions. BUT, if any member of the research staff at USF should bother to try to identify who an individual may be, I will vouch that it will be virtually impossible to tie a particular survey response to a particular individual.
I hope that you will all set aside any confidentiality concerns.
SWR
