MethodologyPresentationKG.pptVIP

“Stratification means that specific characteristics of individuals (e.g., both females and males) are represented in the sample and the sample reflects the true proportion in the population of individuals with certain characteristics.” (Creswell 2009, 148). Response bias: Report information about the number of members of the sample who did and did not return the survey. “R.B. is the effect of nonresponses on survey estimates. Bias means that if nonrespondents had responded, their responses would have substantially changed the overall results” (Creswell 2009, 151). Ways to increase success: 1)Send cover letter stating the reason for the survey and thanking respondents in advance. 2)Send letter ahead of time (from SRM talk I saw) 3)Develop with feedback 4)Pilot testing or field testing 4)Return postage Salant and Dillman (1994) suggest a four-phase administration process (Creswell 2009) 1) short advance-notice letter to all members of sample 2) actual survey (1 week later) 3) follow-up post-card sent to all of sample (4 to 8 days later) 4) personalized cover letter with signature, questionnaire, and preaddressed return envelope with postage -- to non-respondents(3 weeks after initial questionnaire Factor analysis is appropriate where one wishes to reduce the phenomena in a domain into a relatively small number of dimensions or factors. Allows researcher to discover interrelationships among variables without making in advance any assumptions as to how they relate to each other. Eleven factors viewed as indicating the significant goals and attitudes surrounding ranch ownership commonly held by Arizona ranchers: 1) land fundamentalism, 2) family fundamentalism, 3) rural fundamentalism, 4) resource protection goal, 5) conspicuous consumption/speculative attitudes, 6) income satisficing, 7) wealth satisficing, 8) agricultural orientation, 9) immobility, 10) local orientation, and 11) local social satisficing. 11 factors placed in 4 basic groups: ranch fundamentalis