Last fall the Internet Committee created a survey to help us learn more about how NASW members use our Web site and to collect suggestions to help guide us as we move forward on the site redesign. Now, read the results.
Last fall the Internet Committee created a survey to help us learn more about how NASW members use our Web site and to collect suggestions to help guide us as we move forward on the site redesign. In addition to the questions below, the survey also included a subjective section in which people were asked to list other site designs they like, specific suggestions for features they'd like to see on our new site, etc. Most of the 268 people who completed the survey included responses to these questions as well; listing those comments would prove difficult, so we've included responses that could be tabulated.
As you'll see, our members have come to rely heavily on Internet services. Almost half the members say they visit the Web site more than once a month. Perhaps unsurprising, our use of the technologies focuses around services that offer a direct benefit to performance of our shared identity as science communicators. The survey's write-in comments underscored this need. Most survey respondents seemed unimpressed by tech bells and whistles, and instead expressed a desire for a clean design that makes existing resources easier to find and access. People also want more timely updates of the information.
Thanks to everyone who took time to help us with this project. We received many excellent ideas for the redesign and appreciate the feedback.
Regards, Kelli Whitlock Burton and Mariette DiChristina Internet Committee Co-chairs
- How often do you use any feature of the NASW Web site?
- 27%: One to three times per month
- 25%: Several times per year
- 23%: On occasion only
- 22%: Once a week or more often
- 3%: Never
- Which of the following features on the current NASW Web site do you use? Check all that apply.
- 63% Job e-mail list or job list archive pages
- 54%: Members directory
- 50%: NASW listservs
- 47%: Freelance resources
- 40%: NASW.org e-mail alias
- 39%: Information about workshops
- 30%: Online membership renewal
- 20%: Back issues of ScienceWriters newsletter
- 19%: Free hosting of personal Web site
- 18%: Official NASW business
- 17%: Local NASW affiliates
- 10%: Teaching resources
- 6%: Books by members
- 6%: Mentoring pages
- 4%: Other
- Please rank each of the following features on the current NASW Web site as either very important, somewhat important or not important:
- Very Important:
- 71%: Job e-mail list or job list archive pages
- 63%: Members directory
- 54%: NASW listservs (subscription or archives)
- 52%: Information about workshops
- 51%: Freelance resources (Web pages and archives)
- 50%: NASW.org e-mail alias
- 44%: Official NASW business
- 38%: Free hosting of personal Web site
- 34%: Online membership renewal
- 29%: Local NASW affiliates
- 26%: Back issues of ScienceWriters newsletter
- 20%: Teaching resources
- 18%: Mentoring pages
- 11%: Books by members
- Somewhat important:
- 42%: Back issues of ScienceWriters newsletter
- 45%: Books by members
- 42%: Local NASW affiliates
- 42%: Teaching resources
- 39%: Online membership renewal
- 38%: Mentoring pages
- 35%: Official NASW business
- 34%: Freelance resources (Web pages and archives)
- 32%: Free hosting of personal Web site
- 31%: NASW listservs (subscription or archives)
- 29%: Information about workshops
- 28%: Members directory
- 22%: NASW.org e-mail alias
- 17%: Job e-mail list or job list archive pages
- Not important:
- 35%: Books by members
- 33%: Mentoring pages
- 29%: Teaching resources
- 25%: Online membership renewal
- 24%: Back issues of ScienceWriters newsletter
- 21%: Free hosting of personal Web site
- 21%: Local NASW affiliates
- 19%: NASW.org e-mail alias
- 12%: Information about workshops
- 11%: Official NASW business
- 9%: Freelance resources (Web pages and archives)
- 7%: NASW listservs (subscription or archives)
- 6%: Job e-mail list or job list archive pages
- 4%: Members directory
- Would you use the site more often if it included a comprehensive search feature?
- 41%: Yes
- 41%: No response
- 18%: No
- If it were possible for NASW members to add brief individual profiles to the current online membership directory, including links to personal homepages, brief descriptions of writing interests, etc., would you use this feature for your own listing?
- 76%: Yes
- 21%: No
- 3%: No response
- Would you use it to find information about other members?
- 83%: Yes
- 14%: No
- 3%: No response
- If it were possible to add live webcasts of the NASW workshops, would you use that service?
- 49%: Yes
- 49%: No
- 2%: No response
- If we offered RealAudio files of workshops, would you use that service?
- 59%: Yes
- 38%: No
- 3%: No response
