ADS-sponsored survey

[RonButters at AOL.COM]

I think this is an excellent idea, though DSNA would be an even more logical
"sponsor." My chief questions (speaking as a member of the ADS Executive
Committee) are as follows:

1. What lists would the survey be sent to? How could we ensure that it would
be a valid sampling of users?

2. Who would do the actual work of accumulating e-mail addresses and
compiling the results?

3. How could we insure that the data then became available without
restrictions?

4. What would it really mean to "sponsor" such a survey?

The more I think about it (and I am just thinking about this off the top of
my head right now) this sounds like an excellent research project for some
academic who simply wants to do such a survey as a part of their normal
research--results could then be published in DICTIONARIES (or even AMERICAN
SPEECH).

If some ADS member wants to make a proposal to the ADS Executive Committee,
they should do so by writing to the ADS Executive Secretary, Allan Metcalf,
at <AALLAN at aol.com>. Probably would be a good idea to explore the idea with
Allan before making a formal proposal.


In a message dated 8/9/2000 1:15:06 PM, fabate at BLR.COM writes:

<< Could ADS sponsor a survey of dictionary users?  Sent by email (no mailing
cost)?  I'll be happy to draft one, if there is some assurance that it will
be sent and the responses compiled, for general use, no restrictions.>>