FTC Proposed Survey of Consumers and Various Target User Groups

Audience Identification & Task
Prioritization Survey
This survey aims to provide a better understanding of the FTC’s primary web user groups;
assess their familiarity with the FTC and their media consumption habits; and define, assign and
compare task and resource priorities. It targets the general public (i.e., consumers) as well as
the specific audience segments identified during stakeholder engagement. It is being
conducted under the authority of the FTC Act. We will not require your name or any other
personally identifying information. Your participation in this survey is voluntary. Your responses
to our questions will be combined with those of others who participate in the survey. The project
has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget, which assigned OMB Control
Number 3084-0159.
[Explanatory notes are italicized inside brackets and will not be included in the final survey.]

Identification
Which of the following categories best describe you? Check all that apply. [Responses to
this question determine which one of the remaining sections each respondent will be
asked to complete. “None of the above” captures the general public (i.e., consumers).
List order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]]
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Active duty service member or veteran [Group 1]
Attorney or legal services professional [Group 2]
Business owner [Group 3]
Media or journalism professional [Group 4]
Law enforcement professional [Group 5]
Educator, advocate or trainer [Group 6]
None of the above [Group 1]

What is your age?
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Under 18 years
18-29 years
30-49 years
50-64 years
65 years and over

What is the highest level of education you have completed?
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Did not complete high school
High school or GED
Some college
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
Advanced graduate study or Ph.D.

How familiar are you with the following organizations? [Response options to be
presented in a matrix on a scale from 1-5. List order will be automatically randomized for
each respondent.]
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Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA)
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Department of Defense (DOD)
Securities & Exchanges Commission (SEC)
Consumer Reports

Which of the following best reflects your understanding of what the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) does? [List order will be automatically randomized for each
respondent.]
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Protects consumers by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business
practices, enhancing informed consumer choice and public understanding of the
competitive process, and accomplishing this without unduly burdening legitimate
business activity
Protects investors, maintains fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitates capital
formation
Works side by side with consumers for truth, transparency, and fairness in the
marketplace, using rigorous research, consumer insights, journalism and policy
expertise to inform purchase decisions, improve the products and services that
businesses deliver, and drive regulatory and fair competitive practices
Advances marketplace trust by setting standards; encouraging and supporting best
practices by engaging with and educating consumers and businesses; celebrating
marketplace role models; calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior;
and creating a community of trustworthy businesses and charities
Aims to make consumer financial markets work for consumers, responsible providers,
and the economy as a whole; protects consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive
practices and takes action against companies that break the law; and arms people with
the information, steps, and tools that they need to make smart financial decisions
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I’m not sure

Group 1 (Active duty service member or veteran;
None of the above)
Where do you usually get your news and information? [Responses to be rank-ordered.
Initial list order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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Social media
News or informational websites
Print media
Television media
Friends, family or coworkers
Other: [Free text field]

Where do you usually hear about unfair business practices, fraud or scams that might
affect you? [Responses to be rank-ordered. Initial list order will be automatically
randomized for each respondent.]
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Social media
News or informational websites
Print media
Television media
Friends, family or coworkers
Other: [Free text field]

Have you ever been affected or targeted by unfair business practices, fraud or scams of
the following types? Check all that apply. [List order will be automatically randomized for
each respondent. View list source.]
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Debt Collection
Identity Theft
Imposter Scams
Telephone and Mobile Services
Banks and Lenders
Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries
Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales
Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report Users
Auto Related
Television and Electronic Media
Credit Cards
Internet Services
Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams
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Health Care
Travel, Vacations and Timeshare Plans
Business and Job Opportunities
Advance Payments for Credit Services
Investment Related
Computer Equipment and Software
Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management
Education
Office Supplies and Services
Home Repair, Improvement and Products
Grants
Magazines and Books
Charitable Solicitations
Tax Preparers
Internet Auction
Funeral Services
Buyers' Clubs
None of the above

If you were to be affected or targeted (whether again or for the first time), where would
you be most likely to turn for information? Check all that apply. [List order will be
automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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Television media
Print media
Social media
News websites
Banks or financial institutions
Official government sources
Police or other law enforcement
Web search
Friends, family or coworkers
None of the above

Select the 5 types of unfair business practices, fraud or scams that you’re most
concerned about. [List order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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Debt Collection
Identity Theft
Imposter Scams
Telephone and Mobile Services
Banks and Lenders
Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries
Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales
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Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report Users
Auto Related
Television and Electronic Media
Credit Cards
Internet Services
Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams
Health Care
Travel, Vacations and Timeshare Plans
Business and Job Opportunities
Advance Payments for Credit Services
Investment Related
Computer Equipment and Software
Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management
Education
Office Supplies and Services
Home Repair, Improvement and Products
Grants
Magazines and Books
Charitable Solicitations
Tax Preparers
Internet Auction
Funeral Services
Buyers' Clubs
None of the above

Which qualities would be most important to you on a website about unfair business
practices, fraud and scams? [List order will be automatically randomized for each
respondent.]
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It should be from an official source
It should be from a source I recognize
It should be designed for people like me
It should be factual and objective
It should provide tools to help me take action
It should provide information to help me learn more
None of the above

Which tasks would you most want to be able to complete on a Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) website about unfair business practices, consumer fraud and scams?
Select the 5 tasks/resources from the list below that would be most important to you.
Enter a score of 1 beside the most important, 2 beside the next most important, then a 3,
then a 4, then a 5. Important: Fill in only five (5) of the boxes below. Leave all the rest
blank. Please trust your first instincts and spend no more than 3 minutes on this
exercise. [List order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
5

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Submit complaints
Apply for refunds
Do Not Call list
Report unwanted calls
Verify Do Not Call registration
Scam alerts
Free credit report
Identity theft
Antitrust violations
Early Termination Notices
Public comments
Press releases
Business guidance
Business blog
Competition policy guidance
Order free materials
About FTC
About FTC staff
About FTC Commissioners
Jobs at FTC
Events
Contests
Media resources
File documents
FOIA requests
FTC budgets
Cases and proceedings
Case documents
Banned companies and people
Petitions to quash
Adjudicative documents
Letters and statements
Premerger notifications (HSR)
Merger guidance
Consumer Sentinel Network
Anticompetitive practices
Rules and statues
Advocacy documents
Advisory opinions
Federal Register notices
Policy statements
Reports and studies
Congressional testimony
International issues

Which topics are you most interested in learning more about to protect yourself from
unfair business practices, consumer fraud and scams? Select the 5 that are most
important to you. Enter a score of 1 beside the most important, 2 beside the next most
important, then a 3, then a 4, then a 5. Important: Fill in only five (5) of the boxes below.
Leave all the rest blank. Please trust your first instincts and spend no more than 3
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minutes on this exercise. [List order will be automatically randomized for each
respondent.]
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Shopping
Saving and investing
Making a budget
Buying and owning a car
Car title loans
Credit and loans
Credit history
Debit cards and prepaid cards
Using credit
Dealing with debt
Resolving consumer problems
Home loans
Buying a home
Home improvement
Saving energy at home
Renting and timeshares
Healthy living
Treatments and cures
Weight loss and fitness
Education and training
Job hunting
Working from home
Going into business
Investments and grants
Limiting unwanted calls and emails
Online security
Protecting kids online
Audio and video
Blogs
Opening a bank account
Paychecks
Buying and using phone cards
Sending money overseas
Payday loans and cash advances
Avoiding identity theft
Recovering from identity theft
Scams against immigrants
Job scams
Money wiring scams
Lesson plans
Worksheets and presentations
Toolkits for sharing financial tips
Resources for immigrant communities
Choosing a college or technical school
Personal financial managers (PFMs), financial counselors and legal help
Using allotments
Using public wi-fi
Securing laptops, phones and devices
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Group 2 (Attorney or legal services professional)
As an attorney or legal services professional, which of the following best describes your
area of focus? Check all that apply. [List order will be automatically randomized for each
respondent.]
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Antitrust
Privacy
Mergers
Healthcare
Compliance
Policy
Technology
None of the above

If you needed information about unfair business practices, consumer fraud or scams to
do your job, which sources would you be most likely turn to? [Responses to be rankordered. Initial list order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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Coworkers or my employer
Research tools like LexisNexis
Community organizations
News or business websites
Official government websites
Web search engine
Print media
Television media
Social media
Other: [Free text field]

In your capacity as an attorney or legal services professional, which qualities would be
most important to you on a website about unfair business practices, consumer fraud and
scams? [List order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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It should be from an official source
It should be from a source I recognize
It should be designed for people like me
It should be factual and objective
It should provide tools to help me take action
It should provide information to help me learn more
None of the above

In your capacity as an attorney or legal services professional, which tasks would you
most want to be able to complete on a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website about
8

unfair business practices, consumer fraud and scams? Select the 5 tasks/resources from
the list below that would be most important to you. Enter a score of 1 beside the most
important, 2 beside the next most important, then a 3, then a 4, then a 5. Important: Fill in
only five (5) of the boxes below. Leave all the rest blank. Please trust your first instincts
and spend no more than 3 minutes on this exercise. [List order will be automatically
randomized for each respondent.]
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Submit complaints
Apply for refunds
Do Not Call list
Report unwanted calls
Verify Do Not Call registration
Scam alerts
Free credit report
Identity theft
Antitrust violations
Early Termination Notices
Public comments
Press releases
Business guidance
Business blog
Competition policy guidance
Order free materials
About FTC
About FTC staff
About FTC Commissioners
Jobs at FTC
Events
Contests
Media resources
File documents
FOIA requests
FTC budgets
Cases and proceedings
Case documents
Banned companies and people
Petitions to quash
Adjudicative documents
Letters and statements
Premerger notifications (HSR)
Merger guidance
Consumer Sentinel Network
Anticompetitive practices
Rules and statues
Advocacy documents
Advisory opinions
Federal Register notices
Policy statements
Reports and studies
Congressional testimony
9

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International issues

Group 3 (Business owner)
Which of the following best describes your business?
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I am my only employee
My business employs 1-50 people
My business employs 51-500 people
My business employs 501-1000 people
My business employs 1000 or more employees

If you needed information about unfair business practices, consumer fraud or scams to
do your job, which sources would you be most likely turn to? [Responses to be rankordered. Initial list order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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Coworkers or my business partners
Community organizations
News or business websites
Official government websites
Web search engine
Print media
Television media
Social media
Other: [Free text field]

In your capacity as a business owner, which qualities would be most important to you on
a website about unfair business practices, consumer fraud and scams? [List order will
be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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It should be from an official source
It should be from a source I recognize
It should be designed for people like me
It should be factual and objective
It should provide tools to help me take action
It should provide information to help me learn more
None of the above

In your capacity as a business owner, which tasks would you most want to be able to
complete on a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website about unfair business practices,
consumer fraud and scams? Select the 5 tasks/resources from the list below that would
be most important to you. Enter a score of 1 beside the most important, 2 beside the next
most important, then a 3, then a 4, then a 5. Important: Fill in only five (5) of the boxes
below. Leave all the rest blank. Please trust your first instincts and spend no more than 3
10

minutes on this exercise. [List order will be automatically randomized for each
respondent.]
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Submit complaints
Apply for refunds
Do Not Call list
Report unwanted calls
Verify Do Not Call registration
Scam alerts
Free credit report
Identity theft
Antitrust violations
Early Termination Notices
Public comments
Press releases
Business guidance
Business blog
Competition policy guidance
Order free materials
About FTC
About FTC staff
About FTC Commissioners
Jobs at FTC
Events
Contests
Media resources
File documents
FOIA requests
FTC budgets
Cases and proceedings
Case documents
Banned companies and people
Petitions to quash
Adjudicative documents
Letters and statements
Premerger notifications (HSR)
Merger guidance
Consumer Sentinel Network
Anticompetitive practices
Rules and statues
Advocacy documents
Advisory opinions
Federal Register notices
Policy statements
Reports and studies
Congressional testimony
International issues

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Group 4 (Media or journalism professional)
As a media or journalism professional, which of the following best describes your
employer? Check all that apply. [List order will be automatically randomized for each
respondent.]
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Print news outlet
Online news outlet
Print and online news outlet
Television news outlet
I am self-employed
None of the above

If you needed information about unfair business practices, consumer fraud or scams to
do your job, which sources would you be most likely turn to? [Responses to be rankordered. Initial list order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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Coworkers or my employer
Community organizations
News or business websites
Official government websites
Web search engine
Print media
Television media
Social media
Other: [Free text field]

In your capacity as a media or journalism professional, which qualities would be most
important to you on a website about unfair business practices, consumer fraud and
scams? [List order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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It should be from an official source
It should be from a source I recognize
It should be designed for people like me
It should be factual and objective
It should provide tools to help me take action
It should provide information to help me learn more
None of the above

In your capacity as a media or journalism professional, which tasks would you most want
to be able to complete on a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website about unfair
business practices, consumer fraud and scams? Select the 5 tasks/resources from the
list below that would be most important to you. Enter a score of 1 beside the most
important, 2 beside the next most important, then a 3, then a 4, then a 5. Important: Fill in
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only five (5) of the boxes below. Leave all the rest blank. Please trust your first instincts
and spend no more than 3 minutes on this exercise. [List order will be automatically
randomized for each respondent.]
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Submit complaints
Apply for refunds
Do Not Call list
Report unwanted calls
Verify Do Not Call registration
Scam alerts
Free credit report
Identity theft
Antitrust violations
Early Termination Notices
Public comments
Press releases
Business guidance
Business blog
Competition policy guidance
Order free materials
About FTC
About FTC staff
About FTC Commissioners
Jobs at FTC
Events
Contests
Media resources
File documents
FOIA requests
FTC budgets
Cases and proceedings
Case documents
Banned companies and people
Petitions to quash
Adjudicative documents
Letters and statements
Premerger notifications (HSR)
Merger guidance
Consumer Sentinel Network
Anticompetitive practices
Rules and statues
Advocacy documents
Advisory opinions
Federal Register notices
Policy statements
Reports and studies
Congressional testimony
International issues

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Group 5 (Law enforcement professional)
As a law enforcement professional, which of the following best describe your employer?
[List order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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Federal law enforcement organization
State law enforcement organization
City or county law enforcement organization
Independent investigator
None of the above

If you needed information about unfair business practices, consumer fraud or scams to
do your job, which sources would you be most likely turn to? [Responses to be rankordered. Initial list order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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Coworkers or my employer
Community organizations
News or business websites
Official government websites
Web search engine
Print media
Television media
Social media
Other: [Free text field]

In your capacity as a law enforcement professional, which qualities would be most
important to you on a website about unfair business practices, consumer fraud and
scams? [List order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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It should be from an official source
It should be from a source I recognize
It should be designed for people like me
It should be factual and objective
It should provide tools to help me take action
It should provide information to help me learn more
None of the above

In your capacity as a law enforcement professional, which tasks would you most want to
be able to complete on a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website about unfair business
practices, consumer fraud and scams? Select the 5 tasks/resources from the list below
that would be most important to you. Enter a score of 1 beside the most important, 2
beside the next most important, then a 3, then a 4, then a 5. Important: Fill in only five (5)
of the boxes below. Leave all the rest blank. Please trust your first instincts and spend

14

no more than 3 minutes on this exercise. [List order will be automatically randomized for
each respondent.]
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Submit complaints
Apply for refunds
Do Not Call list
Report unwanted calls
Verify Do Not Call registration
Scam alerts
Free credit report
Identity theft
Antitrust violations
Early Termination Notices
Public comments
Press releases
Business guidance
Business blog
Competition policy guidance
Order free materials
About FTC
About FTC staff
About FTC Commissioners
Jobs at FTC
Events
Contests
Media resources
File documents
FOIA requests
FTC budgets
Cases and proceedings
Case documents
Banned companies and people
Petitions to quash
Adjudicative documents
Letters and statements
Premerger notifications (HSR)
Merger guidance
Consumer Sentinel Network
Anticompetitive practices
Rules and statues
Advocacy documents
Advisory opinions
Federal Register notices
Policy statements
Reports and studies
Congressional testimony
International issues

15

Group 6 (Educator, advocate or trainer)
As an educator, advocate or trainer, which of the following best describes you? [List
order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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I work primarily with children under 18
I work primarily with the elderly
I work primarily with minorities
I work primarily with immigrants
I work primarily with the LGBTQ community
None of the above

If you needed information about unfair business practices, consumer fraud or scams to
do your job, which sources would you be most likely turn to? [Responses to be rankordered. Initial list order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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Coworkers or my employer
Community organizations
News or business websites
Official government websites
Web search engine
Print media
Television media
Social media
Other

In your capacity as an educator, advocate or trainer, which qualities would be most
important to you on a website about unfair business practices, consumer fraud and
scams? [List order will be automatically randomized for each respondent.]
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It should be from an official source
It should be from a source I recognize
It should be designed for people like me
It should be factual and objective
It should provide tools to help me take action
It should provide information to help me learn more
None of the above

In your capacity as an educator, advocate or trainer, which tasks would you most want to
be able to complete on a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website about unfair business
practices, consumer fraud and scams? Select the 5 tasks/resources from the list below
that would be most important to you. Enter a score of 1 beside the most important, 2
beside the next most important, then a 3, then a 4, then a 5. Important: Fill in only five (5)
of the boxes below. Leave all the rest blank. Please trust your first instincts and spend
16

no more than 3 minutes on this exercise. [List order will be automatically randomized for
each respondent.]
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Submit complaints
Apply for refunds
Do Not Call list
Report unwanted calls
Verify Do Not Call registration
Scam alerts
Free credit report
Identity theft
Antitrust violations
Early Termination Notices
Public comments
Press releases
Business guidance
Business blog
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Which topics are you most interested in to help protect the people you work with from
unfair business practices, consumer fraud and scams? Select the 5 that are most
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important to you. Enter a score of 1 beside the most important, 2 beside the next most
important, then a 3, then a 4, then a 5. Important: Fill in only five (5) of the boxes below.
Leave all the rest blank. Please trust your first instincts and spend no more than 3
minutes on this exercise. [List order will be automatically randomized for each
respondent.]
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Shopping
Saving and investing
Making a budget
Buying and owning a car
Car title loans
Credit and loans
Credit history
Debit cards and prepaid cards
Using credit
Dealing with debt
Resolving consumer problems
Home loans
Buying a home
Home improvement
Saving energy at home
Renting and timeshares
Healthy living
Treatments and cures
Weight loss and fitness
Education and training
Job hunting
Working from home
Going into business
Investments and grants
Limiting unwanted calls and emails
Online security
Protecting kids online
Audio and video
Blogs
Opening a bank account
Paychecks
Buying and using phone cards
Sending money overseas
Payday loans and cash advances
Avoiding identity theft
Recovering from identity theft
Scams against immigrants
Job scams
Money wiring scams
Lesson plans
Worksheets and presentations
Toolkits for sharing financial tips
Resources for immigrant communities
Choosing a college or technical school
Personal financial managers (PFMs), financial counselors and legal help
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Using allotments
Using public wi-fi
Securing laptops, phones and devices

Optional Demographic Questions
[Optional demographic questions will be presented to all respondents at the conclusion of the
survey.]
What is your gender?
● Male
● Female
● Other
Which categories describe you? Check all that apply.
● Black or African American
● American Indian or Alaska Native
● Asian
● Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin
● Middle Eastern or North African
● Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
● White
● Some other race, ethnicity or origin

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