Need Help from those 50+! - Page 3

VicLavigne · 04-04-2011, 08:34 PM

I am perhaps a bit paranoid, but a survey question by a member who is not really a member here (only 2 posts, and both in this solicitous thread), who doesn't even claim to own an ereader but says she loves them, with obvious bias on Kindles, and asking about future purchases....... just sounds a bit like gathering information for salespeople. I looked at the first page of the survey, but did not answer anything. I hope it did not ask for personally identifiable information, such as email addresses, but I'm sure those here who have completed the survey could answer that.

Vic

taming · 04-04-2011, 08:40 PM

My assumption was that the OP is an undergraduate who needs a bit more exposure to good survey design.

KenJackson · 04-04-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VicLavigne

I am perhaps a bit paranoid, but ...... just sounds a bit like gathering information for salespeople. ...

It didn't ask for identifying information, but your paranoia is well justified. Surveys are extremely abused.

I get lots and lots of surveys in the mail asking me leading questions that end with one that asks if I really believe this, will I support the cause by donating money to their organization. Many of them are legitimate organizations that I appreciate and donate to occasionally anyway. But I don't like that tactic, so I never respond to the phony survey.

Worldwalker · 04-04-2011, 11:23 PM

I've had them do it by snail mail (it goes in the trash) and phone (I swear at them). I do not donate to any organization that thinks it necessary to trick me with a fake "survey" to get my money.

I don't think this guy works for Amazon, primarily because Amazon is a lot more clueful than this. They not only know their market down to the way we part our hair, they knew their market before they launched the Kindle 1. Plus they have their sales figures, incredibly granular sales figures. They don't need clumsy questionnaires on SurveyMonkey to find out anything they need.

I think the poster is not entirely truthful about being a graduate student -- I'd guess high school student as more probable, especially given his apparent assumption that "50+" is elderly and out of touch. But I don't think he works for Amazon. He would have created a far more effective survey if he did.

kennyc · 04-04-2011, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbox04

I am a graduate student at the University of Tennessee and I love eBooks, eReaders and all of the new technology that we are seeing. I am working on some research on the subject and I need some help!

The research focuses on the viability of this technology for those in their 50s. We are trying to hear from this demographic - hear how they are or are not using this media. What I need, is for those in the 50s age range to answer a very brief survey that should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. Your help would be greatly appreciated and put to good use!!

Here is the link to the survey!

Thanks again!

Yeah right...you're just trying to get my email address so you can cheat me out of my retirement savings.

GeoffC · 04-05-2011, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taming

My assumption was that the OP is an undergraduate who needs a bit more exposure to good survey design.

Me too - but this kind of clueless survey seems common on Mobileread - They seem poorly put together and researched. Pointedly mentioned before is the fact the survey poster just dropped the request in with little preamble.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Yeah right...you're just trying to get my email address so you can cheat me out of my retirement savings.

You have some !

TGS · 04-05-2011, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taming

My assumption was that the OP is an undergraduate who needs a bit more exposure to good survey design.

Perhaps you should read the OP, where it is claimed they are a graduate student.

GeoffC · 04-05-2011, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

Perhaps you should read the OP, where it is claimed they are a graduate student.

mmm I thought an undergraduate was a graduate student

...

ie one in study before the degree is conferred .... unless the definition varies between countries

kennyc · 04-05-2011, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

No doubt I'm giving this more thought than it deserves, but what bothers me most is the implication that those over 50 are coots who are unfamiliar with/unfriendly to technology. That's just nonsensical. Over 75, perhaps, since they would have been retiring just when pc use exploded (and my 80-year old aunt is playing games on Facebook at midnight every night), but placing the bar at 50 seems absurdly young to me. People have had pcs for well over ten years now--just how young did you have to be when you got your first one not to be considered in your dotage now?

And then there's the legitimate practical aspect, that those with changing eyesight are an obvious market for a device that lets them increase font size. I find that those in their 50s and 60s have been enthusiastic adapters, not laggards.

Exactly.

kennyc · 04-05-2011, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

...

You have some !

Unfortunately no, it was a trick question.

petermillard · 04-05-2011, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenJackson

It didn't ask for identifying information...

Not even a country of residence, which I found a bit odd - or do you think they just assume that everyone in the English-speaking world is American?

Hamlet53 · 04-05-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

mmm I thought an undergraduate was a graduate student

...

ie one in study before the degree is conferred .... unless the definition varies between countries

No, at least not here in the United States. A graduate student is a student in graduate school working on obtaining an advanced degree such as a Masters, or a PhD. An undergraduate [student] is attending a college in pursuit of a Bachelors degree of some sort.

I think it really is a student. The survey had some contradictory questions and did not require any identifying questions.

kennyc · 04-05-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

I've had them do it by snail mail (it goes in the trash) and phone (I swear at them). ...

Yes, this has become so bad that I don't even answer my home phone any more. I don't have caller ID so if someone wants me they can either leave a message or call my cell phone -- which does have caller ID and I only answer if it is a known person -- others can leave a message. It's truly unfortunate that this is what the world has become...

redbox04 · 04-08-2011, 08:51 AM

Thank you again to those who participated in the survey. To answer some of the questions and concerns:

The survey was generated by a colleague of mine - and unfortunately I too found a few errors in the survey design after posting the link. Should have checked it!

In any case we gathered some great data, and I wanted to take a moment to share with you exactly what the survey was about:

We are doing a research project on the Kindle in an attempt to identify who Amazon should be spending money advertising to. Our contention is that readers 50+ are the most logical demographic - they read more than any age group - they have more money than any other age group - and they are adopting new technologies at a rapid pace (they were the early adopters for the Kindle, and rank amongst the highest group using Facebook, etc.). Further, this demographic has spent years buying paper books - with the release of new technologies, like the Kindle and other eReaders, we are now able to store thousands of books on once device. We believe that Amazon could do well by positioning the Kindle as a device to "re-purchase" favorite books, and replace a paper book library with an eBook library stored on the Kindle - not only selling the Kindle, but the eBooks as well.

The survey had flaws which were unfortunate, but occurred due to the time constraints we are under and an inappropriate amount of time double checking it. We are not representing Amazon, or any company, and this report is strictly for university purposes.

In any case, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. Many of you spent time filling this out, and for that I(and my team) is very grateful. My apologies to anyone who may have been offended or upset by any of the questions or material.

I wish I had posted the survey here as a sample first - you guys give some great critiques/feedback!

Thanks again!

KenJackson · 04-08-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbox04

... readers 50+ ... rank amongst the highest group using Facebook, etc. ...

If that's true, it's shocking.

I would have expected young teenagers to own facebook. I and my 50+ friends just enjoy complaining about it.

04-04-2011, 08:34 PM	#31
VicLavigne e-reading since 2008 Posts: 197 Karma: 112730 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hinesville Georgia Device: Nook STR, Sony PRS-T1	I am perhaps a bit paranoid, but a survey question by a member who is not really a member here (only 2 posts, and both in this solicitous thread), who doesn't even claim to own an ereader but says she loves them, with obvious bias on Kindles, and asking about future purchases....... just sounds a bit like gathering information for salespeople. I looked at the first page of the survey, but did not answer anything. I hope it did not ask for personally identifiable information, such as email addresses, but I'm sure those here who have completed the survey could answer that. Vic Last edited by VicLavigne; 04-04-2011 at 08:37 PM.

04-04-2011, 08:40 PM	#32
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	My assumption was that the OP is an undergraduate who needs a bit more exposure to good survey design.

04-04-2011, 11:23 PM	#34
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	I've had them do it by snail mail (it goes in the trash) and phone (I swear at them). I do not donate to any organization that thinks it necessary to trick me with a fake "survey" to get my money. I don't think this guy works for Amazon, primarily because Amazon is a lot more clueful than this. They not only know their market down to the way we part our hair, they knew their market before they launched the Kindle 1. Plus they have their sales figures, incredibly granular sales figures. They don't need clumsy questionnaires on SurveyMonkey to find out anything they need. I think the poster is not entirely truthful about being a graduate student -- I'd guess high school student as more probable, especially given his apparent assumption that "50+" is elderly and out of touch. But I don't think he works for Amazon. He would have created a far more effective survey if he did.

04-08-2011, 08:51 AM	#44
redbox04 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: none	Thank you again to those who participated in the survey. To answer some of the questions and concerns: The survey was generated by a colleague of mine - and unfortunately I too found a few errors in the survey design after posting the link. Should have checked it! In any case we gathered some great data, and I wanted to take a moment to share with you exactly what the survey was about: We are doing a research project on the Kindle in an attempt to identify who Amazon should be spending money advertising to. Our contention is that readers 50+ are the most logical demographic - they read more than any age group - they have more money than any other age group - and they are adopting new technologies at a rapid pace (they were the early adopters for the Kindle, and rank amongst the highest group using Facebook, etc.). Further, this demographic has spent years buying paper books - with the release of new technologies, like the Kindle and other eReaders, we are now able to store thousands of books on once device. We believe that Amazon could do well by positioning the Kindle as a device to "re-purchase" favorite books, and replace a paper book library with an eBook library stored on the Kindle - not only selling the Kindle, but the eBooks as well. The survey had flaws which were unfortunate, but occurred due to the time constraints we are under and an inappropriate amount of time double checking it. We are not representing Amazon, or any company, and this report is strictly for university purposes. In any case, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. Many of you spent time filling this out, and for that I(and my team) is very grateful. My apologies to anyone who may have been offended or upset by any of the questions or material. I wish I had posted the survey here as a sample first - you guys give some great critiques/feedback! Thanks again!