[Air-l] Survey Questions for Online Forum Participants

If you have surveyed participants of online political/community forums, E-Democracy.Org would really like to compare notes. If you plan to survey forum participants in the future, we encourage you to build upon or adapt some the questions we share below. Also, E-Democracy.Org would be interested in your thoughts about the questions you think should be ask in future surveys: http://www.e-democracy.org/comments.html Steven Clift Chair, E-Democracy.Org --- Forwarded message follows ------- Date sent: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 12:53:37 -0500 From: Steven Clift <clift@PUBLICUS.NET> Organization: http://www.publicus.net Subject: [DW] Article - E-Democracy.Org Participant Survey Report and Key Questions to Other Surveys To: DO-WIRE@LISTS.UMN.EDU *** Democracies Online Newswire - http://dowire.org *** *** Headlines from top blogs: http://dowire.org/feeds *** Asking the right questions in e-democracy research is a difficult challenge. Building knowledge that helps practitioners refine and rethink their e-democracy-related efforts is vitally important and extremely rare. Jakob Jensen, who recently completed his PHD in Denmark, provided E-Democracy.Org the opportunity to work with him as he crafted questions to create useful knowledge about online civic/political discussion forums. An article titled, "Minnesota E-Democracy Forum Participant Survey Report," provides an overview of Jakob's research results: http://www.e-democracy.org/research In short, active citizens show up online. Many post and enjoy the forums. Prompted by public forum postings, often private communication from elected officials, journalists, government staff and other citizens demonstrate an important aspect of civic/political life not visible to the casual visitor ... and much much more. View the questions and background notes from Steven Clift, E-Democracy.Org Board Chair: http://www.e-democracy.org/research/surveyquestions.html Look below for the questions we encourage you to use in comparative surveys and studies. One of our goals is to determine what e-democracy investments (time, volunteers, programs, money, etc.) bring about the most resource-effective democratic results. If you are active with e-democracy research and are looking for an organization that will give you deep inside access, drop us a note: http://www.e-democracy.org/comments.html Sincerely, Steven Clift Board Chair, http://E-Democracy.Org Editor, http://DoWire.Org The questions: Survey - Minnesota E-Democracy – A unique kind of democratic debate Your activity on Minnesota E-Democracy Question 1: Which E-Democracy hosted forums (e-mail discussion lists) do you subscribe to: (check all that apply) Minneapolis Issues Forum St. Paul Issues Forum Winona Online Democracy Minnesota Politics Discuss Question 2: In which of the forums do you spend the most time (i.e. follow most closely)? Minneapolis Issues Forum St. Paul Issues Forum Winona Online Democracy Minneasota Politics Discuss Question 3: For how long have you participated in one or more of the forums? (off and on or continuously) Since 1994 Between 5 and 7 years Between 3 and 4 years Between 1 and 2 years Less than a year Question 4: How did you first become aware of Minnesota E-Democracy or any of its forums? Via links on the Internet Through an e-mail from a friend or family member Through an e-mail from a political or professional contact Through media coverage Through word of mouth (off-line) At a public meeting or event Through print flyers or similar materials Other, ____ Question 5: How often do you use any of the features provided online by Minnesota E-Democracy? (read the discussion messages or use the E-Democracy web site to find links or information) Everyday Most days Most weeks Every month Rarely Never Question 6: Approximately how often do you post (send an e-mail to the list(s)) to any of the forums? Everyday Most days Most weeks Every month Rarely Never Jump question 6a (if answer anything but “never”): Have you ever received private responses (those not shared publicly with other participants) to any of your postings from (check all that apply) Another participant A government official An elected official A journalist Someone offering information you sought Someone supporting the opinion you expressed Someone differing with the opinion you expressed Someone offering abusive comments (profanity, personalized name calling, etc.) Question 7: What activities have you engaged in on the forum(s)? (check all that apply) Started new topics of discussion Contributed my opinion to discussions Requested information from the group Contributed information and/or links Forwarded messages from the forum(s) to others Encouraged others to join the forum(s) Engaged in private exchanges with other forum members Read a post which caused me to e-mail, call, write or meet with an elected official Read a post which caused me to attend a public meeting, event or rally Read discussions without posting Impressions and conceptions of the forum Question 8: Consider your experience with the forum(s) in which you participate. How would you evaluate the following elements of the forum? Please use a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 characterizes a very negative impression and 5 characterizes a very positive impression (-) (+) The overall quality of the postings 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The quality of my own postings 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 __ Doesn’t Apply The amount of new information provided 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The reliability of the information provided 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The usefulness of the discussion 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The level of respect between the debaters 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The general atmosphere in the forum 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 Please share further comments on your personal experiences - good, bad or simply notable: ________________________________________________ Question 9: Consider the following factors and their effects on making Minnesota E-Democracy’discussions an ideal forum for online dialogue, participation and civic involvement. Please use a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means a very negative effect and 5 means a very positive effect. (-) (+) The rules and guidelines 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The forum managers (list manager/”moderator”) 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The geographical boundaries on topics discussed 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The present technical form of the discussion (i.e. an e-mail list not a web board) 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The information provided on the website of Minnesota E-Democracy 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 Question 10: Try to compare Minnesota E-Democracy forums with other forms of political participation. To which forms do you find it most similar? (one to three answers, please) Writing letters to the editor for a newspaper or journal Participating in a meeting with other citizens Contacting politicians by letter Contacting politicians in person Discussing politics with friends, colleagues or family Attending a political party meeting Organizing grassroots activities Other forms, which_________________ Do not know Question 11 Considering the overall content in the forum(s) compared to view points expressed in other media (TV, radio, newspapers etc.) Is it: More balanced Similar Less balanced Question 12: To what extent do you think the discussions affect the following areas? Please use a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 means they have no impact, 3 means they have some impact and 5 means they have a large impact. No impact-some impact-large impact Influencing politicial decision-makers 1—2—3—4—5 Setting the community agenda? 1—2—3—4—5 Influencing opically related media coverage of community or political issues? 1—2—3—4—5 Affecting public life or your community relations with others? 1—2—3—4—5 Question 13: Over time, have the discussions changed or influenced your political opinions or your vote? (check all that apply) It has changed how I normally vote It has influenced my vote in specific elections It has changed one or more of my political opinions It has had some impact on my political opinions It has had no impact at all Don’t know Question 14: Consider your experience with the activities of Minnesota E- Democracy. Which of the following purposes do you think it serves best? (one to three answers please) Discussion among citizens Discussion among citizens and politicians Affecting media coverage Putting issues on the political agenda Giving a voice to alternative perspectives Giving a voice to diverse or less represented groups in society Contacting politicians Searching for information about politics or community issues Networking with other politically active people Organizing grassroot activities Linking communities and neighborhoods together Other Do not know Question 15: Have you experienced cases where Minnesota E-Democracy forum discussions have had an effect on political decisions, the agenda in traditional media or ”in-person” discussions in the community. If so, please describe: _______________________________ Question 16: What do you value most about the discussion in the forum(s)? What do you value most about the role of Minnesota E-Democracy and their volunteer forum managers? Question 17: What should Minnesota E-Democracy do to improve the use of the Internet as a tool for citizen participation, political/community involvement or dialogue among the citizens and elected officials? Do you have specific suggestions for E-Democracy’s web site and e-mail forums, or related online services you’d like to see in Minnesota related to democracy? Political interest and participation in general Question 18: Do you consider yourself interested in politics and/or community affairs? Yes, very much Yes, to some extent Only a little Not really Not at all Question 19: Have you participated in other discussions online? (check all that apply) Yes, on a political party website/e-mail list Yes, on a politicians website/e-mail list Yes, on a political or community organization’s website/e-mail list Yes, on a government website/e-mail list Yes, on an individual’s website/e-mail list Yes, on a mass media website/e-mail list Yes, on a commercial website/e-mail list Yes, through “usenet” newsgroups Yes, through real-time chat or group instant messaging No, I have not Question 20: Have you actively participated in politics the last 12 months? (check all that apply) Member of /donor to a political party Attended a political party’s precinct caucus Candidate for elective office Member of any kind of government or local councils Member of a grassroot organisation Attended town meetings, public hearings, citizen activist meetings, etc. Written a letter to the editor Contacted a politician on one or more issues Discussed politics with family, friends or colleagues I voted in the most recent election None Question 21: Which effect has your participation in Minnesota E-Democracy had on the following factors?: Please use a scale from –2 to +2, where –2 means a decrease, 0 means no effect and +2 means an increase. Decrease ------ No effect ------ Increase My interest in political or community issues -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 My knowledge of political or community issues -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 My overall civic involvement -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 My knowledge of the rationale behind other people’s opinions -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 My level respect for those with differing opinions from my own -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 My sense of connection to elected officials -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 Use of Internet and other media Question 22: How often do you use the following Internet features? Several times a day - Every day - Weekly - Monthly - Less than that - Never E-mail? X ------------------- X ----------X --------- X ------------- X --------- X Websites? X ------------------- X ----------X --------- X ----------- -- X --------- X Instant messaging? X ------------------- X ----------X --------- X --- ---------- X --------- X Question 23: Where do you access the Internet on a regular basis? (check all that apply) At home At work At school/university At libraries, cafes, or other public places At the homes of friends or family Other places Question 24: Which non-Internet forms of media do you use at least once a week? (check all that apply) TV Radio Newspapers Magazines Others I use only the Internet Demographics: Question 25: Basic demographics What is your gender? Male__ Female___ What is your age? ____years What is your ZIP code _____ Question 26: Which education do you have (please mark the highest level attained)? _None, or grades 1-8 _Some High school (grades 9-11) _High school graduate (grade 12 or GED certificate) _Business, Technical, or vocational school AFTER high school _Some college, no 4-year degree _College graduate (B.S., B.A., or other 4-year degree) _Post-graduate training/professional school after college (Master' degree/Ph.D., Law or Medical school) _Don't know/Refused Question 27: How would you best describe yourself? ”Average” citizen Activist citizen Journalist Elected official City employee County/regional govt employee State government employee Don't know/Refused At Minnesota E-Democracy’s request I have included the following two optional questions for their use in comparing the demographics of participants with recent census data. The aggregate information will help them establish a baseline for future outreach. Question 28: Race/Ethnicity Please check all boxes that describe your racial/ethnic background (adapted from U.S. Census categories): White Black or African American American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Hispanic or latino Don’t Know/Refused Question 29: Total Household Income Per Year (from US Census categories) Less than $10,000 $10,000 - $14,999 $15,000 - $24,999 $25,000 - $34,999 $35,000 - $49,000 $50,000 - $74,999 $75,000 - $99,999 $100,000 - $149,000 $150,000 - $199,999 $200,000 or more Thank you for the participation. You will of course remain anonymous and your answers will be treated and analyzed with the utmost discretion. ^ ^ ^ ^ Steven L. Clift - - - W: http://publicus.net Minneapolis - - - - E: clift@publicus.net Minnesota - - - - - - T: +1.612.822.8667 USA - - - - - MSN/Y!/AIM: netclift Join my Democracies Online Newswire: http://dowire.org EDem's Election 2004 Links: http://e-democracy.org/us *** Past Messages, to Subscribe: http://dowire.org *** *** To subscribe, e-mail: listserv@lists.umn.edu *** *** Message body: SUB DO-WIRE *** *** To UNSUBSCRIBE instead, write: UNSUB DO-WIRE *** *** Please send submissions to: clift@publicus.net *** *** New RSS XML Feed Available: *** http://www.mail-archive.com/do-wire@lists.umn.edu/maillist.xml Steven Clift - http://publicus.net - Reply to: clift@publicus.net Join DoWire: http://dowire.org E-Democracy: http://e-democracy.org