August 31, 2009 |
Bulkley Valley Research Centre - Survey 2009 - Results, August 2009
Prior to developing our next five-year strategic plan, earlier this year we asked members to fill out a short survey on their perceptions of the Bulkley Valley Research Centre. Our goal was to find out how we are doing in general and how we can improve. We thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey.
Not surprisingly, most respondents were very or somewhat familiar with the Bulkley Valley Research Centre. Seventy-four percent (all percentages have been rounded to the nearest integer) considered the Centre very successful to date, with 19% indicating that we have been somewhat successful. The 7% who did not know match the 7% who were not very familiar with the Centre. No single program area was considered the most important: research project delivery, seminar series, and public outreach — including workshops and conferences — were each highlighted by 59% of respondents.
According to the survey results, the most critical issue for the Bulkley Valley Research Centre is the need for broader funding (86% listed this as top priority); more specifically, members want the Centre to focus on developing proposals to non-government sources over the next five years. A desire to see better extension of research results to local stakeholders and managers was expressed; resource managers and decision makers are considered the most important clients of the Centre.
We asked which services that the Centre provides or could provide to support researchers were important. Results were: collaborative environment 43%, peer review 39%, shared journal subscriptions 26%, technical office space 4%, all of the above 48%.
A specific focus of the survey was to find out whether the Bulkley Valley Research Centre communicates effectively with our membership. The results indicate that 96% find communications excellent or good. The vast majority want to receive information by e-mail whenever new information arises rather than on a set schedule. Almost half of respondents find the website an effective way to receive information.
Some members added suggestions that would, in their opinions, improve the Bulkley Valley Research Centre. These ranged from providing insurance for members and holding brainstorming sessions for exploring options for initiating interdisciplinary projects, to more general tasks (such as developing a barter system that offers local expertise in exchange for opportunities to receive instruction). The board and staff will consider each of the suggestions over the next year.