Peak work load periods and time frame preferences of Texas school superintendents as factors in maximizing mail questionnaire returns

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent certain variables existed within the work world of Texas school superintendents as those variables might affect the return of mail questionnaires. The primary variables researched were peak work load periods and whether or not superintendents had a preferred time frame to receive questionnaires. Also investigated was whether or not superintendents objected to the practice of graduate students mailing questionnaires to superintendents. Supplemental data gathered included whether the time of arrival was a factor in the superintendents answering the questionnaires, who actually completed the questionnaires, and the frequency with which superintendents receive questionnaires from graduate students. Data were gathered from 108 school superintendents on a ten-item, multiple choice questionnaire. The data were analyzed by computer. Testing was conducted using two methods. The questions first received a test for proportion of a single population. The null hypothesis tested was that the proportion of superintendents who said they experienced peak work load periods (months, weeks, days) or time frame preferences (months, weeks, days) was less than or equal to .3. If this hypothesis was rejected, then the nonparametric Friedman test was employed to determine whether the peak work load periods or time frame preferences were the same..