Years ago I was involved in initiating surveys for a large manufacturing company. While I did not write the surveys, I had a voice on what the survey questions were and how they were posed. Back then we were seeking answers to questions which would determine what products would be sold, how we could make them better, and most importantly, what was wrong with what we already had on the market.
One of the managers of the survey company gave me some good advice. Never, he said, write a question for a survey which limits or directs the answer. There are two surveys currently on the Internet, one from the New Philadelphia School System, the other from the City of New Philadelphia. Both are asking the citizen to rate certain aspects of the operation of each. Both present questions which, when finally tabulated, will provide no information which will have any value in determining the feelings and concerns of those who contribute answers. The problem is all in the wording.
The problem with both these surveys is that meaningful questions are not presented. In the case of the City survey, it fails completely the goal it sets for itself "to improve the quality of the downtown and make it more usable for businesses and patrons." Of the eleven questions, six are demographic, three repeat each other and two ask mundane questions about shopping habits. Anybody who reads the survey already knows the answer to questions 7, 8, and 11. If the City Administration and Councilmen aren't aware of those answers already, well, what can one say?
The School Survey is a different situation. One question is demographic and worded in such a manner as to permit arbitrary rating of the other answers, a fatal flaw. It is shocking that questions 1 through 4 even appear on this survey, as all the choices listed should be mandated by, and for, every administrator, principal, or teacher in any school system. Questions not asked in this survey, which certainly should be, are, were you were adequately educated to become a productive member of the labor force, did your children receive the training which will allow them to sustain themselves in the market place, are you receiving a good value for the tax dollars you are putting into the New Philadelphia school system, questions which require only a yes or no answer.
These surveys are faulted in their design. They appear to be designed to meet the needs and goals of those who designed them, showing that all is well. Unfortunately they will produce no changes in either the educational deficiencies of the New Philadelphia school system or in the economic problems of downtown New Philadelphia. Surveys won't solve the problems. Solutions can only come from an understanding of what, where, and why those problems exist and confronting them with solid business knowledge and experience.
Messrs Alsept and Taylor need to confront their challenges by getting out of the office and talk to those citizens who are paying the taxes to support the school system and economy of the city.
Surveys which ask irrelevant questions to relevant problems won't solve anything.
(Editor's Note: Surveys mentioned in this article can be found on the following Internet sites: www.npschools.org and www.newphilaoh.com)
One of the managers of the survey company gave me some good advice. Never, he said, write a question for a survey which limits or directs the answer. There are two surveys currently on the Internet, one from the New Philadelphia School System, the other from the City of New Philadelphia. Both are asking the citizen to rate certain aspects of the operation of each. Both present questions which, when finally tabulated, will provide no information which will have any value in determining the feelings and concerns of those who contribute answers. The problem is all in the wording.
The problem with both these surveys is that meaningful questions are not presented. In the case of the City survey, it fails completely the goal it sets for itself "to improve the quality of the downtown and make it more usable for businesses and patrons." Of the eleven questions, six are demographic, three repeat each other and two ask mundane questions about shopping habits. Anybody who reads the survey already knows the answer to questions 7, 8, and 11. If the City Administration and Councilmen aren't aware of those answers already, well, what can one say?
The School Survey is a different situation. One question is demographic and worded in such a manner as to permit arbitrary rating of the other answers, a fatal flaw. It is shocking that questions 1 through 4 even appear on this survey, as all the choices listed should be mandated by, and for, every administrator, principal, or teacher in any school system. Questions not asked in this survey, which certainly should be, are, were you were adequately educated to become a productive member of the labor force, did your children receive the training which will allow them to sustain themselves in the market place, are you receiving a good value for the tax dollars you are putting into the New Philadelphia school system, questions which require only a yes or no answer.
These surveys are faulted in their design. They appear to be designed to meet the needs and goals of those who designed them, showing that all is well. Unfortunately they will produce no changes in either the educational deficiencies of the New Philadelphia school system or in the economic problems of downtown New Philadelphia. Surveys won't solve the problems. Solutions can only come from an understanding of what, where, and why those problems exist and confronting them with solid business knowledge and experience.
Messrs Alsept and Taylor need to confront their challenges by getting out of the office and talk to those citizens who are paying the taxes to support the school system and economy of the city.
Surveys which ask irrelevant questions to relevant problems won't solve anything.
(Editor's Note: Surveys mentioned in this article can be found on the following Internet sites: www.npschools.org and www.newphilaoh.com)
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