Research project-please help

Penney · #1 (**permalink**) 19-05-2009, 12:06 PM

Hello,

I am currently undertaking a MSc project at Imperial College and want to find out the opinions of birders, conservationists, field sports enthusiasts and members of the public on taking birds of prey from the wild in the UK. It would really help me a lot if you could please take 10 minutes to fill out this simple questionnaire which asks for your opinions on various issues concerning birds of prey in the UK. Please do not discuss this matter in this thread, as this would bias my results (people might change their minds after reading other people's thoughts on the matter).
Also, as this survey is vital for my project and I really need a lot of responses, I hope you don't mind if I bump this thread once every few days to prevent it getting pushed onto an old page where people won't see it. I will only do this until I have enough responses.

I would really appreciate your responses!

Here is the link
Attitude survey for Birding group members: survey 1

Amoeba · #2 (**permalink**) 19-05-2009, 01:54 PM

Unrelated to the subject at hand, why do you ask for our sex?

Jennie · #3 (**permalink**) 19-05-2009, 02:17 PM

Or occupation?

Penney · #4 (**permalink**) 19-05-2009, 02:21 PM

Hello,

I want to see if people's opinions differ depending on demographic values such as sex and occupation. If you are uncomfortable with any questions, you can skip them.
Thanks

Tursiops2 · #5 (**permalink**) 19-05-2009, 04:17 PM

Hi
I've done your survey. No problems, its a worthwhile investigation, and seemed reasonably well thought-out and structured, but the question "what group(s) of birds are you most interested in?" is rather ambiguous.

Firstly, what do you mean by "groups"? As far as I know, "group" has no particular meaning in a biological or ecological context; do you mean "genus" or "family", or "flock", or "ecological niche", or what? Secondly, the question seems to presuppose a universally exclusive interest. As a birdwatcher, I'm interested in all birds, not just a particular selection, but there is no provision for saying this. I answered "n/a" to the question, which can't be particularly helpful from your point of view.
T2

Hobjob · #6 (**permalink**) 20-05-2009, 10:40 AM

Goodluck with your survey.
I'll PM you a couple of other points.

nigel_b · #7 (**permalink**) 20-05-2009, 11:43 AM

Thats a really good way of doing a survey, very professional.

stigofthedump · #8 (**permalink**) 20-05-2009, 11:52 AM

I have just completed your survey, on the whole very well presented. I agree with Tursiops2 though on the question on what 'groups' of bird are you interested in. After much thought I had to put.. all.

Good luck.

Vince

Kayleigh · #9 (**permalink**) 20-05-2009, 12:39 PM

Hi I have don't your survey I put garden birds as that's where I watch them most.

metalfish · #10 (**permalink**) 20-05-2009, 02:59 PM

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Owls replace pesticides in Israel

have you seen this? The artical starts...

Owls replace pesticides in Israel
Farmers are installing nest boxes to encourage the owls

Owls and kestrels are being employed as agricultural pest controllers in the Middle East.

Many farmers are installing nest boxes to encourage the birds, which hunt the crop-damaging rodents.

In Israel, where there is a drive to reduce the use of toxic chemical pesticides, this has been turned into a government-funded national programme. ....

Well worth a look