What matters most to you when reading a good book?

bookideas · 01-02-2019, 08:28 PM

Hi all,

I'm an avid reader (mostly Russian classical fiction) as well as aspiring entrepreneur. I'm doing some research to understand what avid book readers, like me, care about most and potentially to create a solution for us all.

If interested, care to share your thoughts using my short 5 minute survey?

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FSLFVJ3

Appreciate hearing from you! Happy reading!

barryem · 01-02-2019, 09:53 PM

For my part if you ask for opinions in here and start a discussion I'd enjoy participating. I'm not interested in taking a survey.

Barry

HarryT · 01-03-2019, 03:42 AM

Discuss the matter here. I would urge all MR members NOT to participate in such "surveys" off-site. If the OP can't be bothered to participate in a discussion here, they're not worth responding to.

BookCat · 01-03-2019, 05:01 AM

I distrust new members whose first post contains a link to an off-site survey and gives no indication of the type of information being sought.

Beware of giving any personal info, such as email addresses. This could be a scam. I have nothing to base this on other that my natural caution.

As Harry has said, I'm sure we'd be willing to discuss this on site.

stuartjmz · 01-03-2019, 05:29 AM

I did have a look, as the survey is hosted by surveymonkey, a reputable provider used by several legitimate MR firms, as well as by many hobbyists. The questions, with one exception, were all related to reading habits and preferences, no alarm bells there. The only personal data the questionnaire asked for was age, within industry-standard demographic groupings. the very LAST question did smell fishy, inviting respondents to take part in further research in exchange for a $20 gift card. I suspect THAT question was the point of the survey, but since one could terminate the survey without having handed over any personal information at all except age group (the veracity of which could not be confirmed, being the only personal question asked), I viewed the whole exercise as being somewhat like actually reading a Nigerian phishing email before deleting it - interesting and mildly diverting, but not especially threatening. Unless, of course, one took leave of one's senses and signed up for the "further research"

HarryT · 01-03-2019, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartjmz

I viewed the whole exercise as being somewhat like actually reading a Nigerian phishing email before deleting it - interesting and mildly diverting, but not especially threatening. Unless, of course, one took leave of one's senses and signed up for the "further research"

I'm sure you're right, Stuart. I'm just not too keen on people who clearly have no interest whatsoever in being an active part of our community using us for "research" purposes.

stuartjmz · 01-03-2019, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm sure you're right, Stuart. I'm just not too keen on people who clearly have no interest whatsoever in being an active part of our community using us for "research" purposes.

Oh I agree totally. I checked it out of perverse curiosity and because I worked in MR for 25 years. Up to the last "hook" question, it was innocuous and would indeed have been an interesting conversation starter here. I decided to describe my experience in the hope that any others who might be tempted knew what lay at the end of the survey.

BookCat · 01-03-2019, 12:31 PM

The unwary could easily be reeled in by the offer of money, then find themselves handing over bank details. Unfortunately people do this.

bookideas · 01-03-2019, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

The unwary could easily be reeled in by the offer of money, then find themselves handing over bank details. Unfortunately people do this.

Apologies! I didn't mean to come across as a scam. I'm just someone doing research into book reading habits because I'm considering whether there is a need for a new platform or tool to help. That's all.

Mostly...

I'm just curious how much people want to be able to converse with others about what they are reading as well as get good book recommendations?

And if whatever they use today is working well or not.

No scams. No uncles in Africa wanting to wire you $5,000. Etc.

HarryT · 01-03-2019, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookideas

I'm just curious how much people want to be able to converse with others about what they are reading as well as get good book recommendations?

That's what this site is for (among other things). If you want to talk about books, this is the place.

bookideas · 01-03-2019, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's what this site is for (among other things). If you want to talk about books, this is the place.

No one is forcing you to take the survey. But it's not a scam. Thank you.

stuartjmz · 01-03-2019, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookideas

No one is forcing you to take the survey. But it's not a scam. Thank you.

I actually completed the survey, selecting "no I'm not interested" for the final question. I did have some minor reservations about the wording of some of the questions from a technical point of view, although I know something of the limitations of surveymonkey, especially the free version. I would suggest you supply more information about the intent of the survey, to help put potential respondents at ease, and to enable them to be better able to make an informed choice about their participation. The mention of an incentive for further participation does make it sound like it might be a scam. Clarifying the intent of the survey may help with that issue too.

bookideas · 01-03-2019, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartjmz

I actually completed the survey, selecting "no I'm not interested" for the final question. I did have some minor reservations about the wording of some of the questions from a technical point of view, although I know something of the limitations of surveymonkey, especially the free version. I would suggest you supply more information about the intent of the survey, to help put potential respondents at ease, and to enable them to be better able to make an informed choice about their participation. The mention of an incentive for further participation does make it sound like it might be a scam. Clarifying the intent of the survey may help with that issue too.

What were your reservations about wording? I'd love to learn from your technical prowess.

Incentives are a very common way to do more lengthy in-person or telephone interview sessions. Every major organization uses them.

Deskisamess · 01-03-2019, 07:44 PM

It was the "incentive" at the end that made me close out of the survey. I've taken many legit surveys at Survey Monkey and have never been offered money in exchange for talking to someone. It made me go "ick."

bookideas · 01-03-2019, 07:58 PM

Huh. Interesting. Many companies, such as Google and Amazon and many others, offer incentives. It's a common practice when asking someone to give a significant amount of their time to answer questions mostly in the best interest of the business.

https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/5-sur...ponse-rates-2/

01-02-2019, 08:28 PM	#1
bookideas Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2019 Device: none	What matters most to you when reading a good book? Hi all, I'm an avid reader (mostly Russian classical fiction) as well as aspiring entrepreneur. I'm doing some research to understand what avid book readers, like me, care about most and potentially to create a solution for us all. If interested, care to share your thoughts using my short 5 minute survey? https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FSLFVJ3 Appreciate hearing from you! Happy reading!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Good spelling still matters	Steven Lyle Jordan	General Discussions	98	06-14-2012 07:52 AM
Is all reading good?	Bob Russell	News	188	09-24-2009 08:05 PM
Please Help: Good format for reading?	Aukel	HanLin eBook	20	12-17-2008 08:33 AM
Good reading to all	lucianoassirelli	Introduce Yourself	4	03-27-2008 01:12 PM
Long term forecast for book reading is not good	Bob Russell	News	13	05-23-2006 02:29 AM

01-02-2019, 09:53 PM	#2
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	For my part if you ask for opinions in here and start a discussion I'd enjoy participating. I'm not interested in taking a survey. Barry

01-03-2019, 03:42 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Discuss the matter here. I would urge all MR members NOT to participate in such "surveys" off-site. If the OP can't be bothered to participate in a discussion here, they're not worth responding to.

01-03-2019, 05:01 AM	#4
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	I distrust new members whose first post contains a link to an off-site survey and gives no indication of the type of information being sought. Beware of giving any personal info, such as email addresses. This could be a scam. I have nothing to base this on other that my natural caution. As Harry has said, I'm sure we'd be willing to discuss this on site.

01-03-2019, 05:29 AM	#5
stuartjmz Nameless Being	I did have a look, as the survey is hosted by surveymonkey, a reputable provider used by several legitimate MR firms, as well as by many hobbyists. The questions, with one exception, were all related to reading habits and preferences, no alarm bells there. The only personal data the questionnaire asked for was age, within industry-standard demographic groupings. the very LAST question did smell fishy, inviting respondents to take part in further research in exchange for a $20 gift card. I suspect THAT question was the point of the survey, but since one could terminate the survey without having handed over any personal information at all except age group (the veracity of which could not be confirmed, being the only personal question asked), I viewed the whole exercise as being somewhat like actually reading a Nigerian phishing email before deleting it - interesting and mildly diverting, but not especially threatening. Unless, of course, one took leave of one's senses and signed up for the "further research"

01-03-2019, 12:31 PM	#8
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	The unwary could easily be reeled in by the offer of money, then find themselves handing over bank details. Unfortunately people do this.

01-03-2019, 07:44 PM	#14
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,752 Karma: 45301087 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 13 Pro, iPad mini, iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8", Scribe 2022	It was the "incentive" at the end that made me close out of the survey. I've taken many legit surveys at Survey Monkey and have never been offered money in exchange for talking to someone. It made me go "ick."

01-03-2019, 07:58 PM	#15
bookideas Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2019 Device: none	Huh. Interesting. Many companies, such as Google and Amazon and many others, offer incentives. It's a common practice when asking someone to give a significant amount of their time to answer questions mostly in the best interest of the business. https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/5-sur...ponse-rates-2/

Advert

Advert