Q: My phone number is on the “Do Not Call List”. Can I be contacted by research interviewers?

A: Yes. The Do Not Call Registry went into place in 2003 to protect consumers from telemarketers with whom they had not previously established a business relationship. When this legislation went into place, the Federal Trade Commission specifically exempted survey research firms, as survey research is critical to public policy and decision making. For more information on the importance of survey research, please read AAPOR’s description of the Survey Research Exemption.

Q: I am looking to conduct a survey, but am unsure as to which type of survey I need. Which method is best?

A: It depends upon a wide range of variables, including the characteristics of your population, your survey topic, the types of questions you are looking to ask (close-ended, open-ended, length), your time frame, the importance of response rate, and many other variables. CUPA staff can discuss the different methods with you to determine which is most appropriate. A brief description of our survey modes can be seen on the right side of this page.

Q: I heard someone mention that a survey was an “RDD” survey. What does that mean?

A: “RDD” stands for Random Digit Dial. In a random digit dial survey method, a computer randomly generates the last four digits of a telephone number based upon the three digit prefixes of a given target population. RDD surveys are often preferred to other methods because a potential respondent does not need to have a listed telephone number in order to be contacted.

Q: During what hours do you conduct survey interviews?

A: The Center for Urban and Public Affairs maintains operating hours from 8:30 AM until 9:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM Friday, 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM Saturday, and 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Sunday. Generally, telephone interviews that are conducted with the general public are made after 3:00 PM on weekdays, as well as on weekends in order to generate the most representative sample possible. Surveys with businesses and other defined groups are generally made during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Our calling hours can change based upon the needs of the client- nationwide surveys often lead to our office hours extending until midnight Eastern in order to call West Coast respondents until 9 PM. Our hours are flexible to meet your needs.

Q: There are numerous survey research firms available. Why choose CUPA?

A: The primary objective of the Center for Urban and Public Affairs is to meet the research needs of your organization. Our staff is flexible, and willing to respond to the specific needs of each individual client. Our use of college-educated students helps keep our costs down- you will find that CUPA provides a high-quality product at a very reasonable price.

Our staff is supported by the resources of Wright State University. While our staff is expert in research methods, we are flanked by a university full of experts in a wide-variety of fields who we often partner with in order to provide the best service possible to our clients. Need an expert in Ecology, GIS, Social Work, Statistics, or any other field? Our Center is able to assemble a research team that will meet your needs in the most efficient manner possible.