Provide Information About Your Survey
1. Criteria for Anonymity
An anonymous survey is one in which procedures ensure that the information
obtained is recorded in such a manner that the participants cannot be identified
by anyone, including the surveyors, either directly or through information
linked to the participants.
2. Your Procedures for Maintaining Anonymity
Describe your procedures for maintaining anonymity (e.g. paper surveys returned
to a box/location not monitored by the surveyors or by mail; electronic surveys
returned to a website set up so that respondents can not be traced). If you
use an electronic website, include assurance from ITS or another appropriate
source that the website is indeed, set up so that the participants can not
be identified by you. In addition, participants should be instructed to put
no identifying information about themselves on the survey itself.
3. The Nature of Your Project
Briefly describe the nature of your project and its purpose.
4. The Nature of Your Participants
Describe your participants (e.g. college students, staff, alumni, etc.).
5. How Your Participants Will Be Recruited
How will you contact the participants? Example (in person on campus, send out the survey electronically,
send out a paper survey by mail)
6. Provide your recruiting text, whether written or oral.
It should include the purpose of the survey and the names and affiliations
of the surveyors. It should also include statements that:
the survey is anonymous
responses cannot be traced back to participants
participation is voluntary
any question may be left unanswered
the respondent can drop out at any time
7. Risks
In your estimation, does participating in the survey involve any risk for
the participants (e.g. psychological effects of the questions) and if so,
address their likelihood and seriousness. Be sure to justify your answer
(e.g. no risk if subject matter is not personal or political, or is innocuous).
8. The Survey Form
Forward a copy of the survey form with all the survey
questions to: Gabe Johnson, RESEARCH OFFICE, RM. 209A, Geography Building
(ext. 7765) It should include a statement to the participants describing
the purpose of the survey
the names and affiliations of the surveyors
the duration of time needed to complete the survey.
It should also include statements that:
the survey is anonymous
responses cannot be traced back to participants
participation is voluntary
any question may be left unanswered
the participant can drop out at any time
that respondents should not put any identifying information about themselves on the survey.
Human verification