ITR: Survey2001: Information Technology's Impact on Community, Culture and Conservation

Clemson University, Clemson SC

Investigators

Abstract

In 1998 academic researchers combined with the National Geographic Society (NGS) to design and implement "Survey2000: Charting Communities and Change," an effort that explores the potential and limits of web-based survey research. A second survey effort to be hosted by the NGS website in the fall of the year 2001 is the cornerstone of this project. The substantive focus of Survey2001 centers on the impact of information technology on changing perceptions of global and local spheres in contemporary society. In particular, the survey examines respondents' perceptions and understanding of "global" and "local" in three areas: community, culture and conservation. The survey explores the extent to which new information technology has redefined the distinction between global and local. A second aim is to consider methodological issues related to web survey research, in particular the non-random nature of a web survey sample. Toward this end, the project calls for a parallel telephone survey effort using standard random digit dialing techniques to replicate the web survey. Beyond questions of sampling and validity, Survey2001will pursue issues regarding web survey instrument development and implementation, as well as instrument and design effects in web surveys. Collaboration with the NGS assures that the results will receive broad public dissemination.