Membership Surveys Committee
Survey: Most Journals
Not Read Cover-to-Cover
Tim Keyes (chair) and Pam Arroway, Membership Surveys Committee
M
embers of the Membership Surveys
Committee have completed an
analysis of responses to the recent
survey concerning the ASA’s journals. The
goal of the survey was to identify areas of
improvement that would yield a better reader
experience and/or a broader readership base
for all the journals.
The target population included ASA
members and nonmembers, as well as cur-
rent and former journal subscribers. The
random sample consisted of 1,231 indi-
viduals, from which a total of 480 respon-
dents completed or partially completed the
survey for a 39% response rate. This result
is somewhat lower than that of previous
surveys, which have produced response
rates in the 50% to 60+% range. Perhaps
this is owing to the more specific nature of
the survey on journal activity with a general
population; whereas, the previous surveys
focused on general questions from specific
demographic cohorts (e.g., recent members,
long-term members, international mem-
bers, etc.). Nevertheless, committee mem-
bers think the response rate is sufficiently
robust to draw conclusions from the data
in the analysis that follows.
Committee members would like to thank
everyone who responded to the survey and
the Social and Economic Sciences Research
Center at Washington State University,
which implemented the survey online and
collected the data for use in this report. former journal subscribers, and 15% considered a global survey. In fact, non-U.S.
former members (all U.S. residents). residents were slightly oversampled to make
Demographics
The sample selected had nearly the same an attempt to distinguish their responses
The targeted population of just more proportional representation. Response rates where meaningful. Approximately 86% of
than 22,000 individuals is comprised of did not significantly vary by strata. the survey population is from the
about 49% current members who have Responders to the journals survey were United States.
not paid for additional journal subscrip- predominantly academic/nonstudent The bulk of responders (66%) were
tions (regular membership includes free (44%), but with a healthy proportion com- male, while, in terms of degree level, near-
online access to the Journal of the American ing from business and industry (26%). ly all (93%) had a master’s degree (30%)
Statistical Association (JASA), Journal of Students (9%) and government employees or doctorate (63%). The proportion of
Business & Economic Statistics (JBES), and (8%) had the next-largest representation. male responders is similar to observa-
The American Statistician (TAS)), 28% cur- A vast majority (71%) are United States tions from the career track and recent
rent members who are also current journal residents, but with nearly one-third being member surveys; whereas, the propor-
subscribers, 8% current members who are non-U.S. residents, it can legitimately be tion of doctorates is lower. The longtime
4 AMSTAT NEWS AUGUST 2008
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