Researchers Begin Northwest Arkansas Omnibus Survey

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Researchers at the University of Arkansas Survey Research Center are reaching out to local residents as part of the newly initiated Northwest Arkansas Omnibus Survey. The survey, designed to “take the pulse of Northwest Arkansas,” began Tuesday, Sept. 13, and will conclude at the end of the month.

The survey is a service-oriented poll to measure Northwest Arkansans’ perceptions about the local population and health of the local economy, said Molly Longstreth, director of the research center. Conducted in both English and Spanish, the survey contains questions from various state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations on a wide range of issues. The goal of the survey is to learn more about a variety of topics and how they affect Northwest Arkansas.

 “The survey is a great opportunity to hear from Northwest Arkansans on issues such as infrastructure, regional planning, health care, the environment, economics and education,” Longstreth said. “Arkansans are rarely asked about these important issues, and we want to give them a voice.”

The survey uses random-digit dialing to contact a wide sample of residents from Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties. Longstreth said the center intends to connect with more than 600 people so that findings are accurate within a range of 4 percentage points. Data are collected via a sophisticated, state-of-the-art, computer-assisted telephone interviewing system. Interviewers are highly trained, and information received during the process remains confidential.

In July, survey center researchers conducted the first statewide Arkansas Omnibus Survey and discovered that Arkansans had confidence in the American economy but were less optimistic about their personal finances and the American economy than were Americans as a whole. The state survey also revealed that Arkansans viewed current economic conditions positively and had optimistic expectations for the economy in the near future. To learn more about the statewide survey, go to http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/5065.htm .

The research center will conduct the Northwest Arkansas Omnibus Survey twice a year. Longstreth said survey findings are an excellent and affordable way for public agencies, nonprofit organizations and educators to obtain high-quality information from a wide variety of Arkansans without the organizations having to sponsor their own surveys. Those interested in purchasing questions for the next survey, to be conducted in January and February 2006, should call the center at (479) 575-4222.

Established in 1998, the UA Survey Research Center conducts surveys and evaluations for a variety of organizations and is dedicated to providing high-quality, nonbiased information. For more information on the center and its research, go to http://survey.uark.edu/ .