FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Researchers at the UA Survey Research Center recently began conducting telephone polls to residents of Arkansas as part of the newly initiated Omnibus Survey. The survey began June 21 and will conclude in July.

“The information gained through the Omnibus Survey will be used to shape public policy and educational programs in Arkansas,” said Molly Longstreth, director of the Survey Research Center. “The topics covered in the survey are important to the entire Arkansas community — individuals and families alike.”

The Arkansas Omnibus Survey is an avenue by which a number of academic, nonprofit and governmental organizations can gather information. Survey questions, which are offered in both English and Spanish, cover sundried subjects from nutrition to community development.

“The goal of the Arkansas Omnibus Survey is to learn more about a variety of topics and how they affect the state,” Longstreth said. “Arkansans are rarely asked about some of these important issues, and we want to give them a voice.”

Longstreth said the Omnibus Survey uses random digit dialing to contact a wide sample of Arkansans for feedback. In total, the Omnibus Survey intends to connect with more than 600 people to help ensure that findings are accurate within a range of 4 percentage points.

Data from the surveys are collected via a sophisticated, state-of-the-art computer-assisted telephone interviewing system. Longstreth said the interviewers are highly trained, and information received during the process remains confidential.

“The survey is an excellent way for public agencies, nonprofits and educators to obtain high-quality information from a wide variety of Arkansans that is more affordable than each agency sponsoring its own survey,” Longstreth said. “The center’s intent is to conduct future surveys twice a year.”

Established in 1998, the 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 research conducted, go to http://survey.uark.edu/.