More Useless Surveys...
I'm sure that many of us have on occasions felt that our opinions are ignored and we say why does no-one ask what I think but last month I received a survey through the door from the County Council asking if anyone living in this household would take part so they could hear views about life in the local area and about issues such as Transport, Recycling and Leisure facilities.
Answers will be treated in the strictest confidence and will only be used to monitor the local authority's services. Anonymised responses will be submitted for national comparisons to the Dept for Communities and Local Government and the Audit Commission(An independent body)that monitors the performance of local government so national patterns of service can be studied.
Well considering that the first page of the survey has an address on it...they'll know who replied. If you rip the first page off there is a small number on the survey which I would bet means that they can match the number to which household responded.
Update:Ok, I had filled in the stupid survey that was sent second time around and mailed it in(but did so as though it was my Mum)she was happy with that(it also allowed us to miss out quite a few questions that were inappropriate)and we agreed any more surveys from whom ever no longer gets filled in except the Census which you cannot avoid. Because you get fined or worse if you fail to do so. This survey apart from an address only identifies the person filling in by four pieces of information(no names)Age, Sex, what you class yourself ie: white, British or whatever and address(which you are led to believe will become anonymous when data is used)Who believes that?
But even though it has been sent in...two weeks on, guess what today's mail brought?
You guessed it...another copy of the same survey with the same covering letter and just a change of the date it has to be sent back. Good to see that they are on the ball. That is definitely being ignored. And interesting that the survey though it gives the opinion that it has to be completed by a certain date, if they can send out three with dates over a period of three or four months just how long is this pointless exercise being conducted for?
And surprise, surprise the survey includes many more questions and subjects to those mentioned above and there is no provision to write added individual responses in greater detail such as why can other areas recycle cardboard and plastic milk bottles in their kerb side collection. Or any way you could talk about concerns about the town centre situation which you have seen in earlier entries.
An example of questions asked, perhaps not the best example but it gives an idea.
Please indicate whether you are satisfied or dissatisfied with each of the following elements of the local bus service(that sounds ok doesn't it)but it then continues by saying...Please answer this question whether you use the bus or not.
They then give you a list of various statements to which you have to tick a box beside each and the options are very satisfied, fairly satisfied, neither, fairly dissatisfied, very dissatisfied, it does not apply/don't know.
What good is a survey if you just tick don't know?
But equally what use is it ticking any of the others if you do not use the service? Or this year you haven't but next year you may use them often.
The survey does not make it clear how large an are you are talking about, whether its the immediate area ie:Around your few streets or the whole of the County Council area.
I forgot about the survey when it was first sent to me and missed the date to return so I thought...that would be the end of it but oh no, they written again and asked for a completed form again and it has to be with them by Friday.
It has 40 questions but nearly every question has upto ten supplementary questions that need one of 7 or 8 boxes ticked. But they say it only takes 20 minutes to fill in. My answers are not very accurate if I decide to send it in again. I am seriously thinking of ignoring it again. I know of no-one else that has received the questionnaire but the other bit that is strange is when they ask you to take part it says we feel sure that you will find it interesting.
Since when has a survey been interesting. It might be to the number crunchers who are being paid to do the analysing of the information but I doubt it will make a difference really as if others have answered like me its not accurate and much is guess work.
Update October 26th:Ok, I had filled in the stupid survey that was sent second time around and mailed it in(but did so as though it was my Mum)she was happy with that(it also allowed us to miss out quite a few questions that were inappropriate)and we agreed any more surveys from whom ever no longer gets filled in except the Census which you cannot avoid. Because you get fined or worse if you fail to do so. This survey apart from an address only identifies the person filling in by four pieces of information(no names)Age, Sex, what you class yourself ie: white, British or whatever and address(which you are led to believe will become anonymous when data is used)Who believes that?
But even though a completed survey has been sent in... guess what today's mail brought? To be filled in by November 10th.
You guessed it...another copy of the same survey with the same covering letter and just a change of the date it has to be sent back. Good to see that they are on the ball. That is definitely being ignored. And interesting that the survey though it gives the opinion that it has to be completed by a certain date, if they can send out three with dates over a period of three or four months just how long is this pointless exercise being conducted for?
Answers will be treated in the strictest confidence and will only be used to monitor the local authority's services. Anonymised responses will be submitted for national comparisons to the Dept for Communities and Local Government and the Audit Commission(An independent body)that monitors the performance of local government so national patterns of service can be studied.
Well considering that the first page of the survey has an address on it...they'll know who replied. If you rip the first page off there is a small number on the survey which I would bet means that they can match the number to which household responded.
Update:Ok, I had filled in the stupid survey that was sent second time around and mailed it in(but did so as though it was my Mum)she was happy with that(it also allowed us to miss out quite a few questions that were inappropriate)and we agreed any more surveys from whom ever no longer gets filled in except the Census which you cannot avoid. Because you get fined or worse if you fail to do so. This survey apart from an address only identifies the person filling in by four pieces of information(no names)Age, Sex, what you class yourself ie: white, British or whatever and address(which you are led to believe will become anonymous when data is used)Who believes that?
But even though it has been sent in...two weeks on, guess what today's mail brought?
You guessed it...another copy of the same survey with the same covering letter and just a change of the date it has to be sent back. Good to see that they are on the ball. That is definitely being ignored. And interesting that the survey though it gives the opinion that it has to be completed by a certain date, if they can send out three with dates over a period of three or four months just how long is this pointless exercise being conducted for?
And surprise, surprise the survey includes many more questions and subjects to those mentioned above and there is no provision to write added individual responses in greater detail such as why can other areas recycle cardboard and plastic milk bottles in their kerb side collection. Or any way you could talk about concerns about the town centre situation which you have seen in earlier entries.
An example of questions asked, perhaps not the best example but it gives an idea.
Please indicate whether you are satisfied or dissatisfied with each of the following elements of the local bus service(that sounds ok doesn't it)but it then continues by saying...Please answer this question whether you use the bus or not.
They then give you a list of various statements to which you have to tick a box beside each and the options are very satisfied, fairly satisfied, neither, fairly dissatisfied, very dissatisfied, it does not apply/don't know.
What good is a survey if you just tick don't know?
But equally what use is it ticking any of the others if you do not use the service? Or this year you haven't but next year you may use them often.
The survey does not make it clear how large an are you are talking about, whether its the immediate area ie:Around your few streets or the whole of the County Council area.
I forgot about the survey when it was first sent to me and missed the date to return so I thought...that would be the end of it but oh no, they written again and asked for a completed form again and it has to be with them by Friday.
It has 40 questions but nearly every question has upto ten supplementary questions that need one of 7 or 8 boxes ticked. But they say it only takes 20 minutes to fill in. My answers are not very accurate if I decide to send it in again. I am seriously thinking of ignoring it again. I know of no-one else that has received the questionnaire but the other bit that is strange is when they ask you to take part it says we feel sure that you will find it interesting.
Since when has a survey been interesting. It might be to the number crunchers who are being paid to do the analysing of the information but I doubt it will make a difference really as if others have answered like me its not accurate and much is guess work.
Update October 26th:Ok, I had filled in the stupid survey that was sent second time around and mailed it in(but did so as though it was my Mum)she was happy with that(it also allowed us to miss out quite a few questions that were inappropriate)and we agreed any more surveys from whom ever no longer gets filled in except the Census which you cannot avoid. Because you get fined or worse if you fail to do so. This survey apart from an address only identifies the person filling in by four pieces of information(no names)Age, Sex, what you class yourself ie: white, British or whatever and address(which you are led to believe will become anonymous when data is used)Who believes that?
But even though a completed survey has been sent in... guess what today's mail brought? To be filled in by November 10th.
You guessed it...another copy of the same survey with the same covering letter and just a change of the date it has to be sent back. Good to see that they are on the ball. That is definitely being ignored. And interesting that the survey though it gives the opinion that it has to be completed by a certain date, if they can send out three with dates over a period of three or four months just how long is this pointless exercise being conducted for?
posted by The Great Gildersleeve | 11:37 pm
8 Comments:
Budget spending it sounds to me. Quick let's look accountable, do a survey and then we can be accountable to our electorate.
Gildy, you should have written sarcastic answers just to annoy them !
I'm still unsure whether to send it in again...Sounds much as you say Six Years and Curmy I'd love to write something sarcastic but they've provided only boxes to tick.
Most questions are so general and it still is silly asking you make a comment even if you do not use a service. I could say that its great and the opposite might be true.
They ask if there is enough bus stops? How do I know? There might be if you in the centre of town like me but not if you are travelling a larger distance.
Some of the questions not about busses are really poor. I assume it is a standard form that is used all over the country but it needs redesigning.
They even want you to fill the survey if you have just moved into the area(if you have)again what will you know of the location?
I feel like sending it just for the sake of it.
BTW Gildy you mentioned he little number that can be traced back to the house number (betcha they can) I brought this up the last time I voted. Your ballot paper is cross referenced on the electoral roll. Why?
I heard it was because of voter fraud and the ballots could only be opened by order of a high court judge but 2 or 3 years ago there was a Labour MP on R5L who spoke of the way the voters split across his constituency and let slip he knew how EVERY household voted (or did not) at the last election. How?
Jesus Christ, Gildy! Just screw it up and chuck it in the bin!
Well said Sarnia,
I suspect that they will do whatever they are going to do regardless of what I write. It is filled in but we've often said how can you be forced to fill in a survey?
Actually, Mum was on the phone last night to a friend asking if he'd been sent one and he said much as you "No but if I had they cannot force you to fill it in and don't bother" He then used some strong expletives ;-)
The census is another matter. And I understand there are some real crackers that may be included next time around.
They must have some quota for that allows for people who do not reply.
I also think what Augustus says is true. And because it was costing often approx £5 return to get a taxi for the priviledge of voting I applied for postal votes for the first time and was accepted but that will make what we vote even more easy to trace, so much for privacy.
I haven't a clue who I'll vote for.
I have a feeling I will just bin it.
I hope they have a box for "English" on the next census form, or I shall write something rude on it !
Blimey Augustus, they know how we vote in general election? That is really scary.
Gildy, chuck it out.
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