Survey of Earned Doctorates - Cognitive Interviews

Attachment 3: Recruitment Materials

11

E-MAIL RECRUITMENT MESSAGE TO BE SENT TO STUDENTS
On behalf of the National Science Foundation (NSF), NORC at the University of Chicago is
conducting research to improve one of NSF’s surveys. NSF sponsors the Survey of Earned
Doctorates (SED), which gathers information from students receiving a doctoral degree from a
US institution. NORC is working on improving the survey and would like to interview
individuals who are about to complete or who have recently completed their doctoral degree.
The interview involves completing a survey and discussing your interpretation of the survey
questions. If you are eligible and choose to participate, you will be given $50 as a thank you for
your time. If you are interested in learning more, please contact the Study Coordinator, NAME
at NAME@norc.org or call the project’s TOLL-FREE NUMBER.
RECRUITMENT SCRIPT
Hello. My name is [NAME] and I work for NORC at the University of Chicago. I’m calling
about your interest in the SED Questionnaire Design Study. Is this a good time?
[IF YES] Let me tell you a little bit about what we are going to do and then you can let me know
if you are still interested.
We are conducting this study to improve the way information is collected for the Survey of
Earned Doctorates, known as the SED, which is a survey sponsored by the National Science
Foundation. The SED is a survey of doctorate recipients who earned their degree from a US
institution.
For this study, we will ask you to complete the SED. While you complete the survey, the
interviewer will ask you questions that will help us revise the questionnaire.
The interview will take about 60 minutes, and you will be given $50.00 as our thanks for
participating in the interview.
Would you like to participate?
[IF YES] Great. I am going to ask you a few background questions to confirm your
eligibility. Then we can schedule an appointment time for you.  GO TO SCREENER
QUESTIONS
[IF NO] That's okay. We appreciate your interest. But for research purposes, we would
like to know why you choose not to participate. NOTE TO RECRUITER: IF
POTENTIAL RESPONDENT DECIDES AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE STUDY
THAT HE/SHE DOES NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE, ASK WHY NOT AND
OFFER TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. RECORD THE RESPONDENT’S REASONS
FOR NOT PARTICIPATING BELOW:
Thank you. Have a nice day.

12

Survey of Earned Doctorates Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Survey of Earned Doctorates?
The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) is the nation’s primary source of information on the
educational experiences of students earning a doctoral degree at a US institution. It is funded by
the National Science Foundation and five other federal agencies. The SED collects information
on the educational history, demographic characteristics, and postgraduation plans of doctoral
recipients.
What is the study about?
This study is being conducted on behalf of NSF to try to improve the way information is
collected for the SED.
Who is the National Science Foundation (NSF)?
The National Science Foundation (NSF), http://www.nsf.gov, is an independent federal agency
whose mission is to support all fields of fundamental science and engineering. If you would like
to contact NSF directly, please contact the study’s Project Officer, Dr. Lynn Milan, at
lmilan@nsf.gov, or 703-292-2275.
Who is NORC?
NORC is a not-for-profit social science research organization affiliated with the University of
Chicago. NORC is conducting this study on behalf of the National Science Foundation. You can
learn more about NORC at its website, www.norc.org, or by contacting the Study Director, Dr.
Michele Zimowski at zimowski-michele@norc.org or calling the project’s TOLL-FREE
NUMBER.
Do I have to participate?
Participation is voluntary. You may choose whether or not you want to be in this study. If you
decide to be in the study, you may choose to skip any question you do not want to answer or stop
participating at any time.
How much will I be paid?
You will be given $50 for participating in the study.
How long will the study take?
The interview will take about one hour.
Why should I participate?
We are testing an updated version of the SED questionnaire. Your input on how the new
questionnaire is working will help improve the data we collect. By participating in this study

13

you can help make sure that NSF collects the most complete and accurate data possible on
students earning doctoral degrees in the United States.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my rights as a respondent?
If you have any questions regarding your rights as a study participant, you may call the NORC
IRB Manager, toll-free, at 866-309-0542.
How is my privacy protected?
Your answers will always be kept private, and none of the information that you provide will be
used for any purpose other than research. Your responses are protected under the National
Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, and the Privacy Act of 1974. Your name or any
information that could identify you will never be used.
What information will be shared with the government/with NSF?
Your name will not be associated with any of the responses you give to the survey questions, and
we will not provide the names of any participants to NSF. NSF will receive information about
this study in a form that will not lead to the identification of any participants.

14