NDSU Computer Users Project

April 12, 1999

The project, as envisioned, would have two major phases: the first being a broad-based survey of relevant data from the user communities and the second, an ongoing, yearly evaluation of user-driven computing needs. The project thus would meet immediate planning needs and also would continue to provide information for future decision making. It is recommended that this process become a routine method of acquiring this information. The campus would tell ITS what services it needs, in priority order, and ITS would decide how to meet those needs with the available resources. Although the survey data will not be the only input ITS uses in assessing services and allocating resources to meet campus needs, the survey data will give ITS a clearer picture than it now has of unmet needs from the end-users' perspective.

In order to be effective, the project needs to be endorsed from the outset by the various campus user constituencies. This endorsement will indicate to the campus that there is an established procedure for obtaining and interpreting end-user feedback regarding information technology services at NDSU. It therefore should be presented to Student Government and Staff and University Senates for adoption through the appropriate committee structures.

The process of data collection and evaluation is envisioned as an open process wherein ITS, CPG, and members of the user constituencies are provided information and evaluative findings at several stages before decisions are made. This will ensure the best data and encourage the best thinking upon which to base long-range decisions.

Proposed Process for Data Collection

1. Focus groups will be used to collect information regarding the general themes that will make up the survey. It is anticipated that the following 5 different groups will be targeted:
   1. Teaching Faculty
   2. Research/Extension
   3. Staff
   4. Students
   5. Administration
2. The above 5 groups will be further subdivided into two groups, those representing "high intensity use" and "low intensity use". Each group will comprise roughly 10 members. Selection of those who will participate in the focus groups will be based on recommendations from the respective senates. These recommendations will be forwarded to the research team (appointed jointly by ITS and CPG) who will begin the research project.
3. A survey will be designed based on information gathered from the focus groups, feedback from previous surveys, and user input. The surveys will be designed to allow for longitudinal analysis.
4. Approximately one month will be given to allow for feedback from all interested parties. An open forum will be scheduled to provide for public dialogue and discussion regarding the instrument and the overall process. The instrument also will be available in electronic form (e.g., web site or email) to insure wide distribution for public comment. Public feedback will be distilled by the research team and incorporated into the survey instrument. A final copy of the instrument will be posted to the NDSU website and data collection will begin.
5. The data collection stage will last approximately 3 weeks. Survey forms will be designed for computer scanning. Attempts will be made to include electronic data collection (through a web site or email). Stratified random sampling techniques will be employed to reduce the number of surveys conducted. It is expected that the total number of completed surveys will not exceed 400.
6. The analysis stage will last approximately 3 weeks.
7. After the analysis an open review period will be provided to allow for input, including open forums. This stage will serve as a feedback mechanism to the research team to allow them to better understand and interpret the data. In addition, this stage will serve as the foundation for the research team to modify the instrument for the next round.