New member - Here for Research

Done Survey,I can get up the ladders but can't get back down

Signed
Ageless old bird

 

You're too young to answer the questions, Ziggy, because like me you're in your Second Childhood

 

Hi Sean,

I've completed the survey but I think you must be prepared for quite a bit of criticism.

You need to realise that for people to complete a survey they need to fully understand the purpose. You have mentioned this but haven't given us any information. Nor have you given us any contact details for the university representative.

Although we like to encourage students we need to be honest with our criticism. We don't mind calling ourselves 'elderly' but do not take it very well when others use that term about us - and 55+ is most definitely not elderly!!! Most 55 year olds would be highly offended. I'm 'old' so don't really care

The questions themselves are not very well thought out as they are too general or don't narrow the topic down sufficiently.

You need to realise that you have approached a group of people who are, mainly, gardening enthusiasts. Therefore, starting off by having the frequency of maintaining the garden as a minimum of fortnightly seems rather ridiculous to us. Most of us would be out in the garden every day, subject to weather. Even the members that are still working full time would be out there frequently.

I have to agree with "M" that your project supervisor has certainly fallen down on the job. The errors (plural) in the English should not have got through. This is a subject the forum has discussed a number of times. It's completely OK for people on a forum such as this to make mistakes in spelling and grammar as it's a social forum. It's not really acceptable for those errors to occur in business or education. It reduces the credibility of the content.

Referring to the content:- the questions aren't easy to answer as the full purpose of the survey isn't explained (I don't think it was, but can't go back to check!). Having difficulty with doing things is quite subjective and the relevance of the question would be enhanced by knowing the purpose.

Size of garden should have relevance to your survey so should included but what type of garden (vegetable, fruit, flowers etc) don't appear to be of relevance. Whether I'm digging the garden to plant vegetables or flowers doesn't really mattter.

Please don't be offended by the criticism as we are trying to make your survey more relevant.

If I may make a suggestion for you to take to the university! It may be a better idea, that before publishing a survey, they approach people such as us to help design the survey with relevant questions.

Good luck