Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
tried to post
I swear, I've now tried to post images and a few videos more than 5 times today and each time it has given me an error. I will get more stuff up as soon as Blogger fixes their problem.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
finally, some NYC
this isn't all of them, but at least there are some... I'll get to the others later.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
response rates
I know I'm not supposed to blog about work, and I know that what I'm about to say is probably not interesting to many of you, but I've got a sort of natural experiment going on with a web survey I am administering at 23 universities nationwide. In general, response rates to web surveys average below 30%. Social scientists like to see rates of 70-100% response in order for them to say that the respondents are representative of the population.
So, about 6 of our schools have closed the survey. The response rates range from 35%, 35%, 39%, 48%, 53%, and 88%. The incentives at each of these schools was similar- and in fact a school who made the incentive drawing significantly larger didn't have as good of a response rate as a school who held a drawing for a $100 check. I'm thinking there has got to be something with the culture at some of these schools, and maybe the size of the institution, but I am just totally shocked that one of the schools got an 88% response rate!
This is a methodological publication waiting to happen. I wish I knew what caused the differences in the rates.
So, about 6 of our schools have closed the survey. The response rates range from 35%, 35%, 39%, 48%, 53%, and 88%. The incentives at each of these schools was similar- and in fact a school who made the incentive drawing significantly larger didn't have as good of a response rate as a school who held a drawing for a $100 check. I'm thinking there has got to be something with the culture at some of these schools, and maybe the size of the institution, but I am just totally shocked that one of the schools got an 88% response rate!
This is a methodological publication waiting to happen. I wish I knew what caused the differences in the rates.
Monday, April 14, 2008
busy-ness makes the person more productive?
I've had a theory- as have others, that the busiest people are the ones who are most productive with their time. For example, back when I was planning my wedding and writing my master's thesis there was something family related that needed to get done. I recall that I was the only one who put it on the list to do and got it done. It seemed like, out of necessity, I had become uber-organized and therefore was super productive with my time. If it got put on my list, it got done.
I'm hoping that something similar will work for me this quarter. The class I'm taking is already taking up way too much of my time, just for the reading. Let alone, I am supposed to be writing my dissertation proposal AND work at my job 40+ hours per week. Add to that the fact that the triathlon is about 16 weeks away and I need to get on a serious training regimen (that and I want to look good for my sister's wedding). So, I'm thinking that because I've got so much going on, I will be able to get all of it done because of the fact that I've got so much going on...I know it is a bit of a tautology (circular logic), but I'm banking on it.
Because the truth is, I'm not really willing to let any of it go. I want to do it all. Maybe I'm asking for trouble...
I'm hoping that something similar will work for me this quarter. The class I'm taking is already taking up way too much of my time, just for the reading. Let alone, I am supposed to be writing my dissertation proposal AND work at my job 40+ hours per week. Add to that the fact that the triathlon is about 16 weeks away and I need to get on a serious training regimen (that and I want to look good for my sister's wedding). So, I'm thinking that because I've got so much going on, I will be able to get all of it done because of the fact that I've got so much going on...I know it is a bit of a tautology (circular logic), but I'm banking on it.
Because the truth is, I'm not really willing to let any of it go. I want to do it all. Maybe I'm asking for trouble...
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
thanks
Thanks to all for my birthday wishes. I do appreciate it. I had a wonderful dinner at Ray's Boathouse and David made me a carrot cake (yummy!). I finally downloaded our photos from New York, but there were more than 300, so we need to go through them and pare them down to the best ones to post. That may take some time, so please bear with me.
I'm taking a class this quarter which will finish off my minor certification in stratification. I have agreed with the professor that my final project to be graded on will be my dissertation proposal. arghh! I can't believe I've promised to get this done in one quarter, while I'm working full time.
I'll let you know how it goes.
I'm taking a class this quarter which will finish off my minor certification in stratification. I have agreed with the professor that my final project to be graded on will be my dissertation proposal. arghh! I can't believe I've promised to get this done in one quarter, while I'm working full time.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Friday, April 04, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZZY!!!
Happy, happy birthday, happy birthday to youuuuuu...
Happy, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!
Have a great day today! I love you!
David
Happy, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!
Have a great day today! I love you!
David
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