Summary of 1998 Survey

 

A mail survey of eight hundred twenty-five current and former members of the Society of Wood Science and Technology and selected Forest Products Society members were conducted in April of 1998.  The sample frame was obtained from the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST). 

 

A questionnaire, administered through the mail, was used to collect data and was directed to members and non-members involved in the field of wood science and technology (WS&T).  All responses remained confidential.  The first section of the questionnaire utilized categorical questions to identify the importance of attitudes towards selected SWST services.

 

The second section of the questionnaire used an open-ended question to elicit responses for potential additional services the SWST could offer members.  Categorical questions were utilized to determine the importance of selected aspects regarding national certification in WS&T and important selected criterion for national certification of individuals in WS&T.

 

The third section of the questionnaire asked respondents if they would prefer new items and/or categories to be included in future Wood and Fiber Science (WFS) issues.  Open-ended questions were utilized to gather information towards national certification.  Itemized-category scale questions were then used to elicit responses towards annual and initial fees for a national certification program.  Categorical questions were utilized to determine what topics and aspects of WFS respondents deemed important. The final section of the questionnaire utilized open-ended and categorical questions to ascertain demographic information for the SWST.

 

Respondent Statistics:

 

Response level – 28.4%

96% male

24% age 41-50 years

86% current members, 6% never a member

61% Ph.D., 21% M.S.

36% academic, 30% industry, 16% retired, 11% government, 7% student

 

What we Asked:

 

--Importance of current SWST services

            --What new services would they like to see

            --Would they approve of National Certification program in WS&T

            --Wood and Fiber Science

            --Demographics

 

Important SWST Services from Survey Responses:

 

            --Publication of Wood and Fiber Science

            --Accreditation

            --Newsletter

            --SWST Critical Publications

 

Less Important SWST Services

           

            --Distinguished Service Award

            --SWST web page

            --International Visiting Scientist Award

            --Annual Meeting

 

National Certification Question

 

            --Inconclusive – 45% yes, 27% no, 28% ?

 

                        By Education:  Ph.D.  52-yes   52-no    35-no opinion

                                                 M.S.   26-yes     8-no        13-no opinion

                                                 B.S.    21-yes      2-no     14-no opinion

 

Wood and Fiber Science

 

            --Topics interesting?  89% yes

            --Informative?  91% yes

            --Put Table of Contents on the Web

            --Put Abstracts on the Web too

            --No full papers on the Web

            --Encourage more international contributions