Why I Have ceased participating in Online Surveys for Library M.Phil and PhD Scholars in Pakistan

As a dedicated professional librarian working within the academic realm, I have encountered numerous opportunities to engage with online survey questionnaires intended for completion of M.Phil and PhD degrees by Library Science scholars in Pakistan. However, despite the potential benefits of contributing to research endeavors within the field, I have found myself increasingly hesitant to partake in such activities. In this post, I aim to elucidate the primary reasons behind my decision to abstain from filling out these surveys, shedding light on the challenges and limitations that have led me to this conclusion.

1. My own limited Knowledge of Research Topics: A significant barrier that I have encountered pertains to my own limitations in understanding and responding to the questions posed in these surveys. While my expertise lies in curating and disseminating information within the library setting, I often find myself ill-equipped to provide meaningful insights on the intricate nuances of diverse research topics. This mismatch between the scope of my knowledge and the demands of the questionnaires poses a considerable obstacle to my active participation in such endeavors.
2. Lengthy Questionnaires: The sheer length of the survey questionnaires that I am often presented with serves as a deterrent to my engagement with these research tools. The time and effort required to navigate through extensive question sets can be prohibitive, especially when juxtaposed against the competing demands of my professional responsibilities. This logistical hurdle diminishes the appeal of participating in surveys that fail to prioritize brevity and conciseness in their design.
3. Errors and Repetition: The presence of typographical errors and redundant questions within online survey questionnaires undermines the credibility and professionalism of the research endeavors they seek to support. Such oversights reflect poorly on the attention to detail and quality control measures employed in the survey development process, eroding confidence in the reliability and efficacy of the data collected through these instruments.
4. Relevance and Rating Scale: A notable grievance that I have with online survey questionnaires is the presence of irrelevant questions and the absence of a "Not Applicable" option in the rating scale. The lack of customization and adaptability in these surveys undermines their utility and hampers the accuracy of the responses obtained. Additionally, the absence of a mechanism to account for instances where certain questions do not apply to the respondent further exacerbates the challenges posed by the survey design.

In the past year after filling the form, I used to request the scholar to share with me the findings of the questionnaire, however, this a plea which is still unaddressed.

In conclusion, while the opportunity to contribute to the scholarly discourse through online survey questionnaires may be seen and accepted as a commendable practice, a myriad of challenges and shortcomings have impelled me to exercise caution in my involvement. As a conscientious librarian committed to upholding the standards of my profession, I believe that it is imperative to advocate for the enhancement of survey design practices and the incorporation of feedback mechanisms to address the concerns raised in this discourse.

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