[dfjcschaich]

We got our two surveys a couple of days ago and filled them out, sent them back. My question is, did anyone else notice two different forms of the survey? One has 58 questions and the other one had 68 questions. We were wondering why two different surveys were sent out? Are there more than two different ones?

[Mikeod]

One possible reason would be to collect as much data on as many topics as possible without making a single survey unbearably long. In my experience, long surveys, either in time needed or detail, don't yield enough responses to be valid.

[Army Guy]

Originally Posted by dfjcschaich

We got our two surveys a couple of days ago and filled them out, sent them back. My question is, did anyone else notice two different forms of the survey? One has 58 questions and the other one had 68 questions. We were wondering why two different surveys were sent out? Are there more than two different ones?

Yes, we noticed also. I asked when I dropped ours off, it is mainly so they can't be "robo" filled out.

Army Guy

[Avista]

I was in one of the focus groups. If all the questions went to everyone,, the Survey would have been extremely long. The thought was people would get bored with filling it out. The decision was made to divide it in thirds. Each person would fill out 1/3 of the survey.

[swrinfla]

Avista is right.

The original design was so long that experts advised shortening. However, since the researchers wanted answers, they determined it would work were they to have different surveys.

My understanding is that everyone got the same first five pages. There were three different versions of pages six and seven, distributed in the same random manner as were the basic surveys.

As I've indicated elsewhere, I continue to urge that every Villager answer the survey. While I was somewhat disappointed in some aspects of this endeavour, I still firmly believe that the findings of the survey will benefit not only our own generation but those following us here in The Villages.

I urge that you not focus on the minor problems with this study, but happily contribute to the overall.

SWR

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by mikeod

One possible reason would be to collect as much data on as many topics as possible without making a single survey unbearably long. In my experience, long surveys, either in time needed or detail, don't yield enough responses to be valid.

The NIH AARP Diet And Health Study was a much much longer (more detailed) survey and managed to yield 500,000 study participants. I'm one of them and the study, that started in 1995, is still ongoing. Many conclusions have been already been made and published in a scientific journal.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Avista

I was in one of the focus groups. If all the questions went to everyone,, the Survey would have been extremely long. The thought was people would get bored with filling it out. The decision was made to divide it in thirds. Each person would fill out 1/3 of the survey.

I wouldn't mind filling out a long survey. What I did mind was those little pink circles. If they could be dark black circles with wider edges it would have been much easier.

Also, as a matter of courtesy, they should post all the questions on their website so anyone who's interested can see them.