03-23-1994 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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correlated with the remainder of the issue questions to isolate areas of cleavage. DRL recommends that a telephone -based survey be conducted. The refusal rate on similar studies undertaken in Little Canada and neighboring communities shows a very low refusal rate -- less than five percent -- in this type of approach. Mail -outs usually obtain response rates of between thirty and fifty percent, while inserts in water bills post response rates of ten to twenty percent. In addition, there is a response bias in both of these methodologies, with responses skewed toward more older residents, home owners, and minorities intensely concerned with the issues raised in the survey. In order to insure an unbiased and repre- sentative sample, telephone surveys are able to minimize this type of self - selection bias. To insure the integrity of the sample, DRL places the most exact- ing sampling standards in the industry on our procedures. Before an alternate respondent is substituted for a designated target, numerous tries are made to contact the initial household. The calls take place during various times on weekday evenings and during the weekend. Our phoners are also instructed to seek convenient appointments with interviewees, cutting our in- process refusal rate to less than three percent on average. The computer analysis will be obtained from the DRL remote job entry facility to the University of Minnesota VAX system, insur- ing both access to the most current statistical analysis programs and confidentiality of the data set. The City would be presented with two bound copies of the final report highlighting all the major findings of the study. A volume of all computer generated cross - tabulation and other multi - variate statistical techniques will also be included to provide the "raw data" required for further secondary analyses. In addition, the findings will be presented by me at any meetings or work sessions specified by the City. The components of the project and the proposed time schedule is outlined below: 1. Planning meeting with the City to establish the topics to be covered in the survey. Based on these topic concepts, DRL would word specific, neutral questions. This activity to be completed within two weeks of the initiation of the contract. 2. Structuring of questions and final approval of the survey instrument. These activities to be completed within four weeks of the initiation of the contract. 3. Final determination of the field dates for interviewing. 4. Pre - testing and, if needed, approval of resulting revisions. 2 rye