[00:00.00] M: Excuse me, Dr. Phillips.
[00:03.69]W: Hello, Patrick. I got your message. [00:06.69]You said something about a project you’re working on.
[00:09.69]M: Yeah, that’s right. I’m ... uh ... we’re, I mean, Student Activities is trying to find out what students think about the different events we sponsor. [00:19.00]So I’m designing a study for them, and I was wondering if I could get your advice.
[00:23.69]W: Sure. So, what can I do for you?
[00:26.69]M: Well, like I said, we want to find out what students like and don’t like about our events—like the concerts we have, the masquerade ball, the spring picnic, and so on. [00:36.69]I know there’s lots of ways we could get information like this—information from students—but I’m not sure which way is best. [00:43.69]I’d like to get as much feedback as possible, from as many people as possible, but—like I said—I’m not sure about the best way to do it. [00:53.69]Interviewing students might be a good way, but I think, uh, interviews would take a lot of time.
[00:59.69]W: You’re right about that. Face-to-face interviews are very time-consuming.[01:04.52]Two other methods you could use are the survey and the poll. [01:08.52] A survey can be highly structured and doesn’t require a face-to-face situation, so that’s an advantage. [01:14.52]You could do a survey in the form of a printed questionnaire, or you could also do it over the telephone.[01:20.52]Telephone surveys take more time.
[01:23.52]M: I see what you mean. For our purpose, a printed survey might be best. [01:29.52]But you also mentioned a poll.[01:31.52]How’s that different from a survey?
[01:33.52]W: A survey is usually fairly structured, while a poll is much simpler in design.[01:38.52]A poll is simply a headcount. [01:41.52] The respondents are presented with a limited number of options. [01:45.52]Are you for or against a masquerade ball?[01:48.52]Do you prefer events like A, B, or C?
[01:51.52]M: I see. So a poll probably wouldn’t give us a lot to go on, but we could probably reach more people that way.
[01:59.52]W: That’s right. You know there’s an excellent book that explains the pluses and minuses of each of these methods.[02:05.63]It’s called How to Measure Attitudes, and it’s in our library ... and probably the bookstore as well because it’s used in some of our graduate courses. [02:14.63]It shows you how to word questions to get the information you want, and there are lots of good samples of surveys.
[02:21.63]M: I’d better write this down. How to Measure Attitudes.
[02:26.63]W: I’d lend you my copy, but one of my assistants is using it.
[02:30.63]M: Oh, that’s all right. I’m sure I can get a hold of it.[02:33.63]If we do, uh, if we decide to go with a printed survey, could you, uh, would you be willing to look at my draft first?
[02:41.63]W: Of course. You could just slip it into my mailbox, or stop by anytime during my office hours.
[02:48.63]M: OK. That would be great. I’ll put the draft in your mailbox.[02:53.63]Thanks. I really appreciate your time.[02:56.63]Now I’d better get going and see if I can find that book.
[02:59.63]W: OK, Patrick. Good luck.