survey participation?
 

(Originally posted in Air Canada forum to gauge initial reponse, which was favourable!)

Hi everyone

I have a question, and please do tell me if this is completely inappropriate for flyertalk.com.

First, let me come clean. I am a lecturer at a University in New Zealand (although originally from Canada). My research interests generally revolve around tourism, but I have lately developed an interest in business travel. I should say that I frequent flyertalk because I am also quite addicted to achieving status on AP. My wife laughs at me. For lots of things, not just hanging around here.

Here's what I am proposing, and I will only go ahead with it if enough people are interested. I'd like to do some research on FF programmes in term of a) the most important benefits as you see them, b) how responsive certain FF programmes are, and c) some general 'demographic' type information (i.e,. how long you've belonged to the programme, avg annual mileage accumulations, etc.). Of course, you will remain completely anonymous as the reseach does NOT depend on your actual identity. (In fact, no research project needs to know who people are by name - it's just not relevant as the data are aggregated in the long run!)

Anyway, now I know everyone hates surveys (I generally dislike conducting them - I was trained as an anthropologist, so qualitative interviews are my preference), but if you are interested in filling out a two-page questionnaire, please do respond in this thread. At this stage, I haven't even come close to actually designing the questionnaire, so my intent here is to simply gauge whether or not my "universe" (i.e., you folks) would be interested in participating.

I realise that the purpose of flyertalk.com is not to solicit information such as this, but any publications arising out of this research I would gladly make available to anyone. At this stage, I would likely submit the final paper to a journal such as "World Transport Policy and Practice," "Transportation Research," or the "Journal of Air Transport Management".

Thanks in advance.

David
Dunedin, NZ

[This message has been edited by DavidNZ (edited 01-31-2002).]

David:

I have long thought there's a great anthropolological study in the appeal of frequent-traveller schemes: the quest for status via quantifiable, programmatic means, the deep absorption in tiers and recognition levels, the disproportionate lust for "validation badges" (special luggage tags, etc.) of comparatively little real value... it has created an obsessively tiered, compulsive self-organizing, highly intelligent international subculture. (Of which I am a Platinum card-carrying member.)

I wish I had time to run the study and write the thesis myself, but feel free to email me for help with yours.

Count me in.

Bear: I totally agree. It would make a wonderful study. Something to consider in the long run. In this instance, I hope to get a feel for what issues FF consider to be the most important in terms of FF programmes.

*sigh*

So many ideas, so little time (and money!)

Cheers

David
Dunedin, NZ

I would be happy to particiapte http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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lennon

Me too.

Maybe you could get a grant and then offer FF miles for survey completion. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Just a thought!

Count me in.

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Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

Glad to help!

Wouldn't this be more appropriate for a study in Abnormal Psychology than Anthropology http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Middle_Seat

[This message has been edited by Middle_Seat (edited 01-31-2002).]

I'll participate

I'll participate.

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Robert

I'd be happy to participate/help. The e-mail link above this post works.

However, you'd have to account for the fact that your respondents are (a) from among the weirdos who frequent this place and (b) self-selected to boot. Your results could still be meaningful, but may not generalize. Demographic matching won't fix that; you'd need psychographic data, which is harder to get.

If you'd like someone to come to N.Z. to chat about it, I'd have an excuse for a mileage run!

I'm game - Count me in!

DD

I'll do it

How many miles do we get for participating? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I agree that this would be a highly interesting study... curious to see the results. Sign me up (miles or not). http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif