Online Panel Research Project

The purpose of the MSDPC Online Panel Research Project is to recruit a sample of customers who agree to take quarterly surveys about MSDPC and its services via the internet. To join the panel, all you need to do is fill out the signup form, which will have you answer a few basic demographic questions (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity) and provide a valid email address. If you are selected to take one of our surveys, you will receive an email with a link to a five-to-ten-minute MSDPC online survey. Please keep in mind, your participation is entirely voluntary, and you can opt-out from the project at any point. However, we hope that you will consider participating and helping us to improve our services and to better serve you.

Question 1: What is an online panel?

An online panel “is a sample of persons who have agreed to complete surveys via the Internet”. The panel serves as a frame or pool of customers willing to be contacted to take an online survey, which can be drawn from to provide feedback.

Question 2: How does the online survey panel work?

After completing the signup form, your email address will be added to a confidential list of MSDPC customers available to be contacted. When a survey is ready to be administered, and if you are randomly selected to take it, you will receive an email from publicaffairs@stlmsd.com that contains details about the survey and a link to access it.

Question 3: How will the information I provide in the surveys be used?

The information provided will only be used to inform and educate MSDPC about the perceptions, impressions, and opinions of customers. The goal is to use the information, so that we can better serve you and meet your needs. Moreover, the feedback provided by customers will allow us to track opinions over time, providing valuable insights about how well we are serving customers, and identifying areas for improvement.

Question 4: What types of questions will I be asked?

The questions will cover a wide variety of topics related to MSDPC and its functions. Respondents will not be asked to provide sensitive information such as their full name or address. The questions will pertain to MSDPC almost exclusively except for some demographic and geographic questions needed to ensure a representative sample.

Question 5: What is the goal of the online panel project?

The goal of the project is to create a panel of MSDPC customers who are representative of the entire service area, who can be asked to provide feedback in a timely and efficient manner. This research method also affords us the ability to recruit a sample of respondents who are reflective of the MSDPC service area at large, to build targeted samples of our customer base who may be harder to reach using traditional forms of research.

Question 6: How long does it take to complete the online surveys?

The surveys will range from 5 minutes to 10 minutes in length. Before beginning the survey respondents will be notified about the average time length needed for completion. Your time is important to us and we will do our best to be respectful of it.

Question 7: How many online surveys will I be asked to complete?

The online surveys will be administered quarterly or about four times a year. Respondents should not expect to be contacted to take more than four online surveys in one year. If this changes respondents will be notified. In addition, just because an individual is part of the panel does not mean they will be contacted each time a survey is administered. A sample of panelists will be randomly selected to receive the survey, which means there will likely be instances when panelists will not be contacted.

Question 8: What if I want to leave the online panel?

Panelists can leave at any point and do not need to provide a reason. To be removed from the panel simply email publicaffairs@stlmsd.com and request to be removed. Upon an email request the panelist will be removed and will no longer receive survey solicitations.

Question 9: Will I receive any rewards or incentives for participating in the online panel?

Panelists will not receive any compensation for participating in the study. However, respondents will have their voices heard and play a vital role shaping the activities of MSDPC.

Question 10: How do I sign up for the online panel?

You can join by visiting the MSD Project Clear website and completing the MSDPC Online Panel signup form.

Question 11: Do I need to have any special qualifications to be a member of the online panel?

The only qualifications are that you are at least 18 years of age and live in a household within the MSDPC customer base.

Question 12: What if I have further questions?

If you have any other questions or concerns about joining the online panel, please email the research team at publicaffairs@stlmsd.com