 | Community Research: Alternate Survey Tools (non-Moodle) |
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Hello friends! Just thought I'd throw this in as another idea if the Moodle surveys can't fulfill our survey needs. In previous classes, we discussed using a site like Surveymonkey to do the survey. We discussed surveys in my Research Methods class this week and it was pointed out that Surveymonkey is run on US servers, meaning that the data they collect is subject to the Patriot Act, meaning copies of the data remain in the US. This is a problem if we want to maintain privacy. Other survey companies mentioned during my class, which have their servers in Canada, were Videlicet (Toronto), Infopoll (Dartmouth), Grapevine (Markham), Mosaic (Ontario), and Noero (Toronto). I'm not sure if these companies provide a free service, but they may be worth looking into if Moodle does not work out. |
 | Re: Community Research: Survey Function |
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Dominika and I briefly discussed the Patriot Act implications of US based surveys. Depending on how you interpret MFIPPA (Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act) storing data on US servers is a showstopper. Some Ontario public libraries unofficially banned SurveyMonkey, along with Google Analytics and other "helpful" web tracking software. It's good that you've included a list of homegrown surveys we can look at. Also keep in mind that many US companies purchase physical server space in Canadian cities for the express purpose of deking out the Patriot Act. |
 | Re: Community Research: Survey Function |
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This probably is not a news flash to you guys, but Google's info is stored in the US, i.e. our Google group may come under the scrutiny of the Department of Homeland Security. I have no idea why they would care about our stuff, but apparently their mandate is to keep a record on everyone and everything in US jurisdiction that has a pulse. They even keep track of what meals airline passengers choose. Have to watch out for those |
 | Re: Community Research: Survey Function |
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I'm glad to hear the ideas around the politics of information being brought into discussion with the surveys. It has got me wondering about the OCAP document and whether or not we should also bring this document into the discussion? what are some thoughts? david |
 | Re: Community Research: Survey Function |
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David ... Thanks for introducing the topic of OCAP, as well as the importance of language (in another thread). Both topics are VERY important from my perspective. Even if the discussion or the final product is not able to accommodate these topics due to other circumstances, just by putting them on the table shows a level of respect for the people being served that normally is just ignored. Both topics, OCAP and native language, provide exciting opportunities for the people in the communities. Knowing that there are ways to develop local first language platforms and resources might just be the challenge that someone will pick up on some day. As well, Owernship, Access, Control and Possession (OCAP) issues and opportunities creates many interesting challenges for the folks in the north. Most importantly, the folks in the urban environments also get the opportunity to examine how they need to facilitate and accommodate these challenges whenever they become involved in creating some "for" someone else. Thanks for bringing these important issues forward! Brian |
| Re: Community Research: Survey Function |
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How can we not talk about OCAP? I just assumed that was what we were basing our research by. Actually when I first read OCAP I thought that most of it was obvious and common courtesy. Researchers who do not foolow basic rules like following up and asking consent are pretty bad researchers no matter who they are researching. For example, all those postings for psychology study participants we see at U of T, those researchers have to abide by ethics rules that are similar to OCAP. It is pretty sad that people researching aboriginal communities would not follow such basic rules. It makes a bad name for researchers in general. On the issue of who owns that information however, OCAP is ahead of the pack. In most jurisdictions in the West, unfortunately, people in general do not own information about themselves. Have you ever tried transfering your health records? You do not own your own health information. |