Survey Procedures

In order to survey the attitudes of agricultural scientists in the US Land Grant University system, a web survey was developed and carried out. The Economics and Management of Agrobiotechnology Center (EMAC) at the University of Missouri-Columbia (www.emac.missouri.edu) developed a comprehensive database of scientists from various agricultural fields in Land Grant Universities. Contact information for researchers, teachers, extension personnel, technicians and administrators from all departments in Land Grant agricultural colleges were identified and codified. In all, a total of 15,081 entries were included in the database.

The web-based survey instrument was placed on an EMAC server and the following request for completing the instrument was sent via email to all the entities in the database with a viable email address:

Dear Colleague:

We need your help with an important research project. As you know, there is much discussion about the challenges and opportunities associated with biotechnology. I am chairing a national task force representing the Land Grant University system in this important area. Our Task Force is reporting directly to leaders of the Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP) and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). The task force membership can be found at:
http://www.escop.msstate.edu/committee/subcom00.htm#agbioimp

We have developed an Internet-based questionnaire that we need you to complete. Our goal is to better understand the views of key Land Grant University faculty and administrators, like you, in order to promote a more effective Land Grant system response to this important issue. These issues will likely have a significant impact on Land Grant Universities in the future. To fill out the questionnaire please go to:
http://www.emac.missouri.edu:591/EMACsurveyFolder/default.htm

You have unique insights that will ensure our recommendations truly influence the future of biotechnology and the Land Grant University system. Key groups inside and outside the system are looking forward to reviewing the results of this study. We have kept this questionnaire short because we know you are busy; it should take about 15 minutes to complete. Please be assured that all your answers will be kept completely confidential. Your name will never be associated with the aggregate findings or revealed in any manner as a participant in this study. If you have any questions, you may contact Dr. Nicholas Kalaitzandonakes, Vice Chairman of our task force, at Kalaitzandonakesn@Missouri.edu

Thank you in advance for your time and insights.

Sincerely,
Thomas J. Hoban, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology and Food Science
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
North Carolina State University

After accounting for entries in the database for which the email address was unavailable as well as erroneous or expired email addresses, a total of 14,128 agricultural scientists received the email request. The prospective survey participants could visit the web page of the survey and examine the instrument in its entirety. They could complete the survey electronically or abandon the process. They could complete any part of the survey as there were no required questions. Finally, care was taken to maintain the anonymity of the participants.

In all, 1802 completed surveys were submitted and received. Hence, the response rate was almost 13%, a reasonable rate for this type of survey, given the substantial length of the survey instrument and considering that no incentives were offered for completion. Also, it was not possible to send out an e-mail reminder. Of the completed surveys 1330 were usable (completed fully and correctly).

Assistance was provided with data analysis and presentation development by McAllister Opinion Research - http://www.mcallister-research.com/main.html

Funding and additional assistance was provided by North Carolina State University and the University of Missouri.