Recent Projects
and Publications
Village
of Black Earth Comprehensive Planning Public Opinion Survey Report (8/2008)
The motivation for
this study was to gather opinions of residents about the future direction
of development in the Village of Black Earth. The survey is a key component
of the public participation portion of the comprehensive plan for the
Village.
Village
of Mazomanie Comprehensive Planning Public Opinion Survey Report (7/2008)
The purpose for this
study was to gather opinions of residents about the future direction of
development in the Village of Mazomanie. The survey serves as a key component
of the public participation portion of the comprehensive plan for the
Village.
Town
of Black Earth Comprehensive Plan Public Opinion Survey Report (6/2008)
The purpose of this
survey was to understand public opinions about a range of important land
use issues facing the Town of Black Earth. The results of this survey
will provide input into the comprehensive land use plan that the Town
is developing.
Waukesha
County Library System Public Opinion Survey Report (3/2008)
The goal of the Waukesha
County Library System (WCLS) survey was to determine average library usage,
opinions about the value of the WCLS, and economic considerations associated
with the library. A key question to be addressed by this survey was to
determine if people living in jurisdictions that don’t currently
have a library branch use them differently and have different opinions
about them.
St.
Croix County Health and Human Services: Survey of State and Regional Offices
Report (2/2008)
The purpose of this
survey was to gather information from region and state St. Croix County
Health and Human Services (HHS) administrators regarding state and national
funding trends, unique and effective innovations in Wisconsin HHS programs,
and the relative quality of St. Croix County HHS programs. This information
will inform St. Croix County HHS strategic planning.
St.
Croix County Health and Human Services: Partner Survey Report
(1/2008)
The motivation for
this study was to learn about partners’ experiences working with
various St. Croix County Health and Human Services (HHS) units, partners’
opinions regarding the services provided by St. Croix County HHS units,
and whether there are gaps in services available to St. Croix County residents.
St. Croix County HHS will use this information to inform its strategic
planning.
Grant
County Comprehensive Planning Public Opinion Survey Report (20/2007)
In the fall of 2007,
the South Western Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SWWRPC) sent
comprehensive planning public opinion surveys to 18,978 residents of Grant
County. A total of 4,715 useable surveys were returned for an overall
25 percent return rate. From the returned surveys, the SRC constructed
a random sample of 379 surveys as a balanced sample of public opinion
for the County as a whole.
UW-RF
Dining Services Meal Plan Participant Survey Report (19/2007)
The motivation
for this study was to evaluate preferences and gather opinions of meal
plan participants at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls (UW-RF).
Dining Services at UW-RF wanted to understand how to best meet the needs
of meal plan participants as they prepare a contract for a new food service
provider.
UW-
River Falls Faculty-Staff Survey Report (18/ 2007)
A survey
of UWRF faculty, staff and students found, among other things, that
• there is broad faculty participation in research, scholarly and
creative activities (e.g. nearly 30% of all UWRF faculty report having
received external grant funding)
• faculty are very positive about their programs (78 percent think
their program is good or excellent at developing critical thinking skills)
• faculty feel that UWRF is modestly successful in developing critical
intellectual capacities in our students (writing, speaking, critical thinking,
independent learning, problem solving)
• despite substantial dissatisfaction with aspects of work-life
on campus (salary and benefits, classrooms, offices, facilities, etc.),
nearly three-quarters of faculty and staff said they are “very satisfied”
or “satisfied" with their job
• most faculty and staff are aware of key elements of the strategic
planning process
UW
– River Falls External Stakeholder Survey Report (17/2007)
The Survey Research Center (SRC) sent questionnaires to 505 people with
whom UW-River Falls’ faculty and staff have worked in recent years;
204 returned the survey. 95% of survey respondents said that UW-River
Falls is “important” or “very important” to their
organization and 99% said the University is “important” or
“very important” to the region. The picture that emerges from
this survey is of a university that is deeply engaged with its external
stakeholders, a university whose services are highly valued, and whose
existence is seen as critical to the region. The numeric results and the
open-ended comments are powerful affirmations of our efforts to work with
the broader community.
Sun
Prairie Business Improvement District Consumer and Business & Property
Owner Surveys: Combined Report (15/2007)
This study had two
primary purposes. The first purpose was to gather information about the
shopping patterns and preferences among adult residents (“consumers”)
in the Sun Prairie area, particularly in regard to the downtown business
district. The second purpose was to gather information from Sun Prairie
downtown business and property owners regarding downtown issues. The study
was sponsored by the Sun Prairie Downtown Business Improvement District
(BID), which chose to work with the Survey Research Center (SRC) at the
University of Wisconsin – River Falls.
Non-Resident
Property Owners and their Impact on Sawyer County Businesses, 2007 (12/2007)
Although
Sawyer County has long been a destination for tourists and those hoping
to escape urban environments, the landscape has been steadily changing
from a resort vacation economy to a second home based economy. As many
of the traditional census based datasets only measure the activities of
permanent residents, information about the patterns and preferences of
second home owners has been mostly anecdotal. The 2000 census shows that
48.5 percent of Sawyer County housing units are classified as “for
seasonal, recreational, occasional use”. This study attempts to
find out more about these households by looking at the important factors
leading to property purchase in Sawyer County, the intensity with which
non-resident owners use their properties, and this population’s
overall purchasing preferences. It is hoped that Sawyer County businesses
can use the information contained in this report to increase their sales
by better serving the emerging and growing needs of the second home customer.
City
of Delafield Comprehensive Planning Public Opinion Survey: Survey Report
(11/2007)
As part of their
Comprehensive Planning process, in October 2006 Waukesha County and 27
individual governmental jurisdictions sought the input of County residents
on land use issues via a mail-out survey. The City of Delafield was one
of the 27 local governments that participated in the project. Jerry Braatz
of UW-Extension and the Survey Research Center (SRC) at UW-River Falls
assisted a local ad hoc Planning Committee with survey implementation.
This report presents an analysis of the responses from the City of Delafield
with a comparison to the responses from Waukesha County as a whole.
West
Cap Community Needs Survey Report (8/2007)
The West CAP Community Needs Survey was designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the nature and prevalence of challenges facing lower-income households in Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties. The study was funded by the Otto Bremer Foundation.
City
of Baraboo River Corridor Redevelopment Survey Report (6/2007)
The City of Baraboo
River Corridor Redevelopment Survey was designed to gather baseline information
that would help the City of Baraboo assess the impact of the river corridor
redevelopment project funded by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.
It is anticipated that a follow-up survey will be conducted in approximately
five years.
Prescott
Area Fitness Center Survey (4/2007)
The
motivation for this study was to gather opinions of residents about a
year-round physical fitness facility serving the greater Prescott area,
which includes the City of Prescott and the townships of Oak Grove, Clifton,
Diamond Bluff, and Trimbelle. The survey was sponsored by the Intergovernmental
Council that includes representatives of local governments and the Prescott
School District.
West
Central Wisconsin Talent Survey: Summary Report (3/2007)
The Workforce Talent
Survey was designed to guide workforce and economic development efforts
in the nine county West Central Wisconsin Workforce Development area (Barron,
Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix
Counties). The information is intended to inform existing and potential
businesses of the availability of workers, their interest, and talents
in order to assist in the effort to attract and retain high-paying, high
quality employment opportunities for West Central Wisconsin residents.
Saint
Croix Falls Planning Public Opinion Survey Report (3/2007)
The motivation
for this study was to gather opinions of residents about the future direction
of development in St. Croix Falls. One specific area of interest of the
elected and administrative leaders of the City was to determine the receptivity
of the population to sustainable community development principles.
Waukesha
County Comprehensive Planning Public Opinion Survey (2/2007)
As part of their
Smart Growth plan, in October, 2006 Waukesha County and 27 individual
governmental jurisdictions sought the input of County residents on land
issues via a mail-out survey.
Employment
Impacts of the Kansas City Chiefs' 2006 Summer Camp (1/2007)
The Survey Research
Center conducted interviews with campus employees, collected data from
selected campus offices, and surveyed local tourism related businesses
about the employment impacts of the Kansas City Chiefs' 2006 Summer Camp.
The
College Transition: Managing Stress and Maintaining Health Focus Group
Report (12/2006)
The Survey
Research Center conducted a series of focus group sessions at the request
of a team of University of Wisconsin-Extension faculty from the Western
and Northern Districts. The purpose of the focus groups was to be a source
of input for a research project designed to develop a curriculum to help
students and their families make the transition from high school to college.
City
of Hudson Comprehensive Plan Survey Report- Businesses (5/2006)
The City of Hudson
conducted a survey to gather opinions of businesses about the future of
the City. The study provided up-to-date information about the views of
Hudson business owners regarding key planning issues.
City
of Hudson Comprehensive Plan Survey Report- Residents (5/2006)
The City of Hudson
conducted a survey to gather opinions of residents about the future of
the City. The study provided decision-makers in Hudson with accurate,
up-to-date information about the views of city residents regarding key
planning issues.
Town
of Mercer Housing Survey Report (5/2006)
In the spring of
2006, the Town of Mercer conducted a survey that determined what sort
of housing would be helpful in attracting people who commute to the Town
of Mercer for work to become residents.
Town
of Warren Citizen Input Survey (5/2006)
During the spring
of 2006, the Town of Warren surveyed households to gather opinions about
land use and other key issues facing the Town.
Town
of Emerald Land Use Survey (3/2006)
The Town
of Emerald surveyed citizens to gather input regarding land use planning
in their community.
Town
of Star Prairie Comprehensive Planning Survey (3/2006)
The Star
Prairie Town Plan Commission and Town Board surveyed households to gather
citizens' input concerning land use issues, housing, agriculture and natural
resources, transportation, utiliites and community services, economic
development, and intergovernmental cooperation.
2006
Farmer Investment Survey (2/2006)
Surveys were sent out to Wisconsin farmers who had completed
the 2004 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). The survey attempts
to understand how, why, and where Wisconsin farmers, as a group, are investing
off the farm....(and) what sort of educational programs would help producers
to set goals and invest more effectively.
City
of Fitchburg Comprehensive Survey Report (2/2006)
Between
September and December of 2005, the citizens and business community in
Fitchburg, Wisconsin received surveys from the city that requested their
input on land use issues.
St.
Croix Business Services Survey (1/2006)
In October of 2005,
larger businesses of St. Croix County, Wisconsin received surveys that
requested information about business services practices.
Downtown
Hudson 2005 Parking Survey: Comprehensive Report (1/2006)
The 2005
Survey Research Center analysis of parking issues in downtown Hudson is
based on 4 surveys: a tally of parking spaces occupied in downtown Hudson
during three days in the summer of 2005; intercept interviews with visitors
to downtown Hudson during the same three days; a survey of downtown businesses
and their employees in October and November, 2005; and a phone survey
of a random selection of residents in the Hudson area in November and
December, 2005.
UWRF
Vision and Values Survey (9/2005)
Conducted
during the Fall of 2005, this on-line survey sought opinions in seven
areas. Respondents were asked to describe the campus, offer what its core
values should be in the 21st century, and describe their vision for the
institution. In addition, respondents could offer an opinion on UW-RF's
strengths, suggest its furute defining characteristics, offer what changes
would be needed to accomplish those characteristics, and weigh in on how
Chancellor Don Betz should be spending his time. the UW-RF Vision and
Values Survey produced almost 10,000 discrete comments from nearly 600
students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Pierce
and Pepin Counties Apartment Recycling Program (6/2005)
To help
owners/managers of multifamily housing properties with five or more units
comply with state and county recycling regulations, the County Recycling
Departments of Pierce and Pepin Counties commissioned the Survey Research
Center (SRC) at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls to do
a survey of these properties. The goals of the survey were to:
• determine current recycling practices
• gauge the level of understanding of and compliance with owner/manager
responsibilities regarding recycling
• identify barriers to recycling in apartment complexes
• do a general assessment of recycling facilities in apartment complexes
Lac
Du Flambeau Integrated Resource Management Plan Opinion Survey
(5/2005)
In April
and May 2005 the Survey Research Center (SRC) conducted a survey for the
members of the Lac Du Flambeau (LDF) Band of Lac Superior Chippewa Indians
on management and conservation of natural and cultural resources on their
reservation.
City
of Washburn Community Planning Survey (5/2005)
This mail-out
survey gathered information from residents of Washburn, Wisconsin about
planning issues that the city was facing.
Menomonee
Tribal Housing Department Survey of Housing/Homeownership Needs
(5/2005)
The SRC
conducted a survey on housing issues facing the Menominee Nation.
St.
Croix Tourism Campaign (4/2005)
This is
an annual survey done for the St. Croix River Valley Regional Tourism
Alliance. SRC staff called hotels and motels in the area to determine
the effect of the "Celebrate Winter on the Sparkling St. Croix Tourism
Campaign" used to promote more tourism activity in the St. Croix
River Valley.
UW-River
Falls Student Alcohol Consumption Opinions (4/2005)
Student
Health Services asked the SRC to conduct focus groups to explore the views
of students about alcohol consumption and the impact of responsible drinking
campaigns.
The
Wisconsin Idea (4/2005)
A working paper drafted by David Trechter discussing
the condition of the Wisconsin Idea today and the challenges that must
be addressed if it is to remain a defining characteristic of the state's
culture.
Hudson
Adult Education Survey (3/2005)
A questionnaire
developed for the City of Hudson to study the Adult Education needs in
the area.
UW-River
Falls Parking (3/2005)
This survey
was developed for the UW-River Falls Parking Office to solicit their views
about parking on and around campus. The survey was sent to faculty and
staff, students living in River Falls, and commuter students.
UW-River
Falls Summer School Survey (1/2005)
A questionnaire
was designed and administered to determine who the current clientele are
for summer school, what their preferences are in terms of course offerings,
their plans and motivations for attending in the coming year, and what
the competition might have that gives them an advantage in attracting
UW-River Falls students to their summer school program.
St.
Croix County Parks Survey (1/2005)
The purpose
of this survey was to gauge public opinion about outdoor recreational
facilities and amenities offered by the County, to identify areas of potential
expansion or contraction of these services, and determine funding preferences.
Somali
Goat Meat Preference Survey (1/2005)
A survey
of Somali residents in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area to assess
their goat meat consumption preferences. |
