[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
[Date Index] [Thread Index] [Author Index]
Return to main CEDA-L Archive Page

re: greg and topic survey

>>>>>>
>first, thanks to jamie and greg for their assistance in retrieving pam's 
>topic process survey.  I am disturbed that this document is used so 
>frequently as an appeal for inclusion of non-policy resolutions on the 
>ballot.  first, there are numerous programs that for whatever reason did not 
>respond to the survey.  arizona state, kansas state, the university of 
>central oklahoma, the university of saint louis-missouri, western washington 
>and macalaster college are just a few of the programs missing from the 
>survey results. 

Those generally have a voice on the L, which has been an important point
made previously.  With the survey AND the L, at least many, if not most, of
CEDA voices are heard.  
>>>>>>

this is of course the assumption.  for the sake of argument, lets say that 
the same number of member schools are represented on the l discussion that 
are not included in the survey responders, which doubles the survey from 
about 56 of 212 to 102 of 212 schools.  problem is that measures of 
statistical reliability require minimally 60 to 70 percent of the data base 
responding, not the less than half of the ceda members that the most 
optimistic combination of l and survey respondents.  and in any case, the 
topic process survey received response from only 1/4 of the ceda member 
schools, which is sufficient in itself to seriously doubt the reliability of 
the results.

>>>>>>
 significant hesitancy exists on my part to initiate a full 
>discussion of the methodological problems with this type of survey, but 
>significant verifiability problems seem apparent.  what percentage of the 
>survey recipients answered the survey?  

Looks like 56 or so responded, out of 212 members this past year, so about a
quarter. That's why the voices on the L are so important to the process.  By
the way, MANY, if not most, organizational votes (topic ballots, referenda,
officers, etc.) are decided by as few as a quarter of the membership.  The
survey response rate is NOT an exception.  
>>>>>>

that other survey types are also flawed fails to justify the use of this 
topic survey.  

>>>>>>
how were the answers listed on the 
>survey;  were they uniform or was there randomization of the answer offers?  
>how were the questions phrased?  is the survey reproducible?  independent of 
>these issues, this survey at best provides simply a snapshot of the baseline 
>yes or no preference for policy or non-policy resolutions.  even conceding 
>that some persons and programs desire a particular topic fails to justify 
>normatively that inclusion on the ballot.

Case pimps, but no disad.  :)
>>>>>>

doesn't answer the questions posed.  extend please.
david
Follow-Ups:
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
Return to main CEDA-L Archive Page