DCARF - Deakin Computer Assisted Research Facility
Faculty of Business and Law
What will you do with my answers?
After all the data is collected the responses are analysed and a report is written by the researchers. Research reports are then used to educate and eventually benefit people in the community.
How did you get my phone number?
We do not get phone numbers out of the phonebook; we use a process called random digit dialling (RDD). In RDD a computer creates a list of all the possible numbers we want to try. We do not know if these are home numbers, business numbers, private numbers or even disconnected numbers. RDD helps us ensure we have a completely random sample of people and protect the confidentiality of surveys participants.
Do my answers really make a difference?
Yes, a survey is a simple, anonymous and worthwhile method for conducting research. It records the opinions of Australians on a variety of subjects. Unless people take the time to record their opinions in a formal way, such as in telephone or mail surveys, then the people with the power to make a difference will remain unaware. Most changes take a long time to happen, and research like this is the first of many steps.
Why should I do the survey, I'm not interested and I don't know anything about the topic?
Even if you feel a particular research project is not relevant to you, it will be to someone else. It is important to get the opinion of all kinds of people, including people who don't know much about the topic. It doesn't matter if you don't have any special knowledge; there are no right or wrong answers.
Why do you want personal information about me, like my age or how much money I earn?
These details help the researchers analyse the results. They add meaning and understanding by allowing them to make comparisons and identify differences between groups of people. These details are also used to ensure our sample for a survey accurately reflects the Australian population as a whole.
Where can I get more information about a research project I participated in?
On this website you will find information about DCARF's projects. Here you will usually find the contact details for the main researcher for each project, who you can contact directly if you have any questions or concerns. You can also contact DCARF.
