UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 5, Page 13
September 28, 1995
Demography center provides analysis of survey results

     When Delaware agencies and organizations need to know about
public perception of such services as health care, police,
transportation, education or tourism, they come to the University's
Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research in the College of
Urban Affairs and Public Policy.
     Director Edward Ratledge and assistant director Phyllis Raab are
the demographic duo who head the center that surveys everything from
what fishermen are catching in White Clay Creek to the impact of adult
bookstores on a neighborhood.
     "Our goal is to provide the highest quality of information to
public officials in the state and the area in a timely manner so they
can make informed policy decisions," Ratledge said.
     The center has been conducting surveys and serving the region
since 1965. Surveys also are conducted for departments within the
University, such as criminal justice.
     Some clients require raw data; others want an interpretation and
a report of findings. After a period of 90 days has elapsed from
release of the report, the surveys can be accessed by graduate
students for their research, subject to human subjects protection
guidelines .
     The center maintains a data base of addresses and other
information similar to census surveys, which is helpful in conducting
these studies. The surveys generally include a section on
demographics, asking for information on education, occupation, race,
marital status and income. All information is confidential, and the
information is stored so that no individual can be identified, Raab
emphasized.
     Approximately 40 interviewers, many of whom have been associated
with the center for many years, conduct telephone and door-to-door
inquiries. Raab also does random checking of those who have been
surveyed to make sure the findings are accurate. "In general, our
interviewers are experienced, and the error rate is low. When people
understand that a survey is being conducted by the University of
Delaware, they are usually cooperative. Only about 5 to 7 percent
refuse to participate," Raab said.
     Surveys are pretested to make sure they elicit the right
information and can be understood by the public. Approximately 300
people are interviewed for a typical statewide survey. Surveys with
county-level accuracy usually require 700-900 interviews.
     The surveys conducted this past year provide a sampling of the
kind of information agencies are seeking:
       * A survey of senior centers was made to assess their services.
       * One for the Delaware Department of Transportation looked at
         state planning issues, lifestyle preferences and satisfaction
         with public services.
       * A Department of Public Health survey is being conducted to
         determine the need for doctors in the future.
       * Surveys for Public Health are conducted continuously on
         health issues, such as AIDS, smoking, drinking and seat
         belts.

     Surveys are important tools in providing new data that is needed
to make informed decisions, Ratledge said. The services of the center
provide information about today to help plan for tomorrow, and the
data also is valuable for scholarly research, he added.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure