Campus News
June 28, 2011
Emory Report shares reader survey results
A word cloud created from the 2011 Emory Report Reader Survey comments section.
More than 1,500 faculty, staff and students took the time to participate in Emory Report's annual reader survey.
It's been a year of change at Emory Report as the University's newspaper of record transitioned from a weekly print format to a frequently updated web-first publication. It was time to hear from the Emory community about what works well, and what could be improved.
Emory Report partnered with the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness to conduct the online survey, fielded May 3-17.
This year, Emory Report was able to offer incentives to thank survey respondents for their time. Congratulations to the winners of the drawing for 10 $10 Starbucks cards. The following faculty, staff and students have claimed their prize:
• Graydon Kirk, project manager, University Technology Services;
• Teng Lu, student, School of Medicine;
• Linda J. Nodine, human resources associate, Woodruff Library;
• Kathleen Oprea, student, School of Law;
• Vicki Powers, professor, Department of Math and Computer Science;
• Janet Thigpen, neonatal nurse practitioner, School of Medicine;
• Vanita Welcome, Pediatrics Residency Program, School of Medicine.
An annual metric, the 2011 survey was designed to collect feedback on Emory Report's transition from print to digital in 2010-11, as well as reading habits, demographics and general comments and concerns.
Among the survey's key findings:
• Readers turn to Emory Report for coverage of campus news; features about people, programs and special events; and research news. Other regularly read content includes news briefs and faculty/staff spotlights.
• Feedback on this year's transition from print to digital indicates that 74 percent are satisfied with the changes in format -- citing sustainability, timeliness and ease of reading -- and 4 percent were dissatisfied, expressing a preference for print. (23 percent were neutral.)
• The top access point to Emory Report was the enewsletter, with 53 percent of readers responding that they “frequently” access Emory Report via the weekly eBulletin; followed by the Emory Report website and special print issues.
• Barriers to access included visibility; relevance time constraints; and problems with enewsletter formatting in LearnLink (an issue we are actively working to address).
Through this survey, you've provided us with constructive criticism, ranging from including more features on people and topics that represent the breadth and diversity of Emory, to improving coverage of controversial issues.
You've challenged us to think about creative solutions to how we might boost Emory Report's print presence to provide convenient options for your preferred reading habits; and new ideas for how we might better serve and engage with our community.
Your valuable input will be used to improve our products and services and help us plan for next year. Thank you for supporting Emory Report.
Your feedback is welcome at any time. Share your thoughts at emory.report@emory.edu or 404.727.9507.
