MIST Survey Correspondence

Attachment D
MIST Correspondence

16

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. Your participation is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
Please take a few minutes to complete and return the brief one-page questionnaire in the postage paid envelope.
This will take just a few minutes of your time, and will allow us to determine whether your company is eligible
to participate in the full survey. Also, by providing your email address, we can send you a message with a link
for the full survey on the web.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,
John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, One-page questionnaire (web survey follow up) — no incentive
17

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. Your participation is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
Please take a few minutes to complete and return the brief one-page questionnaire in the postage paid envelope.
This will take just a few minutes of your time, and will allow us to determine whether your company is eligible
to participate in the full survey. Also, by providing your email address, we can send you a message with a link
for the full survey on the web. Please accept the enclosed $2 as a token of our appreciation for participating in
the survey.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,
John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, One-page questionnaire (web survey follow up) — $2 incentive
18

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. Your participation is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
Please take a few minutes to complete and return the brief one-page questionnaire in the postage paid envelope.
This will take just a few minutes of your time, and will allow us to determine whether your company is eligible
to participate in the full survey. Also, by providing your email address, we can send you a message with a link
for the full survey on the web. Please accept the enclosed $5 as a token of our appreciation for participating in
the survey.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, One-page questionnaire (web survey follow up) — $5 incentive
19

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with examining
U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the smallest
businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small businesses are
affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. Your participation is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
Please take a few minutes to complete and return the brief one-page questionnaire in the postage paid envelope.
This will take just a few minutes of your time, and will allow us to determine whether your company is eligible
to participate in the full survey.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,
John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, One-page questionnaire (paper questionnaire follow up) — no incentive
20

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with examining
U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the smallest
businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small businesses are
affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. Your participation is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
Please take a few minutes to complete and return the brief one-page questionnaire in the postage paid envelope.
This will take just a few minutes of your time, and will allow us to determine whether your company is eligible
to participate in the full survey. Please accept the enclosed $2 as a token of our appreciation for participating in
the survey.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,
John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, One-page questionnaire (paper questionnaire follow up) — $2 incentive
21

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with examining
U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the smallest
businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small businesses are
affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. Your participation is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
Please take a few minutes to complete and return the brief one-page questionnaire in the postage paid envelope.
This will take just a few minutes of your time, and will allow us to determine whether your company is eligible
to participate in the full survey. Please accept the enclosed $5 as a token of our appreciation for participating in
the survey.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, One-page questionnaire (paper questionnaire follow up) — $5 incentive
22

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with examining
U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the smallest
businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small businesses are
affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Your participation
is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
To complete the survey online, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:

Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,
John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, Invitation to full web survey—No incentive

23

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with examining
U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the smallest
businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small businesses are
affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Your participation
is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
To complete the survey online, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
Please accept the enclosed $2 as a token of our appreciation for participating in the survey.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, Invitation to full web survey—$2 incentive

24

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with examining
U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the smallest
businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small businesses are
affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Your participation
is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
To complete the survey online, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
Please accept the enclosed $5 as a token of our appreciation for participating in the survey.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, Invitation to full web survey—$5 incentive

25

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Your participation
is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
We are enclosing a copy of the questionnaire, along with a postage-paid business reply envelope for mailing it
to Westat. Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or
difficulties in completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll
free at 1-xxx-xxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, Invitation to paper questionnaire —No incentive
26

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Your participation
is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
We are enclosing a copy of the questionnaire, along with a postage-paid business reply envelope for mailing it
to Westat. Please accept the enclosed $2 as a token of our appreciation for participating in the survey.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, Invitation to paper questionnaire —$2 incentive
27

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Your participation
is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
We are enclosing a copy of the questionnaire, along with a postage-paid business reply envelope for mailing it
to Westat. Please accept the enclosed $5 as a token of our appreciation for participating in the survey.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Initial letter, Invitation to paper questionnaire—$5 incentive
28

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here]:
Thank you for completing the one page questionnaire we sent you earlier for NSF’s Microbusiness Innovation
Science and Technology (MIST) survey. Based on your responses, your company is eligible to participate in the
full survey.
As we indicated in our initial letter to you, small businesses are a critical part of the U.S. economy but we know
too little about them. This survey can help the country to start getting the information it needs to create an
environment in which small businesses can succeed. We want to invite you to participate in this important study
by completing the online survey.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential. The web survey will take
about 20 minutes to complete.
To complete the online survey, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Please complete and submit the survey as soon as possible.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely

John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Followup letter for web survey after receiving one-page questionnaire
29

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here]:
Thank you for completing the one-page questionnaire we sent you earlier for NSF’s Microbusiness Innovation
Science and Technology (MIST) survey. Based on your responses, your company is eligible to participate in the
full survey. We are enclosing a copy of the full questionnaire, along with a postage-paid business reply
envelope for mailing it to Westat.
As we indicated in our initial letter to you, small businesses are a critical part of the U.S. economy but we know
too little about them. This survey can help the country to start getting the information it needs to create an
environment in which small businesses can succeed. We want to invite you to participate in this important study
by completing the full survey.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential. The survey will take about
20 minutes to complete.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Please complete and submit the survey as soon as possible.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely,

John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Followup letter for paper questionnaire after receiving one-page questionnaire
30

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
About two weeks ago we sent you a letter from the National Science Foundation, with a brochure and one-page
questionnaire explaining the Microbusiness Innovation Science and Technology Survey (MIST), and requesting
your participation in the study.
We are now inviting you to complete the full questionnaire. You may ignore the one-page questionnaire sent
earlier. Those questions are included in this questionnaire.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate and the full survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. By
participating in the study, you will be giving information that is vital to policymakers in addressing the issues
that affect all small businesses today.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
To complete the online survey, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Sincerely,

John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Followup letter for web survey after not receiving one-page questionnaire
31

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
About two weeks ago we sent you a letter from the National Science Foundation, with a brochure and 1-page
questionnaire explaining the Microbusiness Innovation Science and Technology Survey (MIST), and requesting
your participation in the study.
We are now inviting you to complete the full questionnaire. You may ignore the one-page questionnaire sent
earlier. Those questions are included in this questionnaire. We are enclosing a copy of the questionnaire, along
with a postage-paid business reply envelope for mailing it to Westat.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics Your company was
randomly chosen to participate and the full survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. By
participating in the study, you will be giving information that is vital to policymakers in addressing the issues
that affect all small businesses today.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk MISTsurvey@westat.com or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Sincerely,

John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Followup letter for paper questionnaire after not receiving one-page questionnaire
32

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

Dear [name of business owner entered here]:
On behalf of the National Science Foundation and Westat, we thank you for completing the Microbusiness
Innovation Science and Technology Survey (MIST).
We are hopeful that the information from MIST will better our understanding of innovation and research and
development activities among our nation’s small businesses. Your participation is extremely helpful and we
very much appreciate your time and response.
Please feel free to call or email us if you have comments about the survey. You can reach us at
MISTsurvey@westat.com or toll free at 1-888-xxx-xxxx.
Sincerely,
John R. Gawalt
Division Director
National Center for Science and Engineering Statics
National Science Foundation

Thank you letter after completion

33