Supporting Statement

International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge (SciVis) Survey

Implementation

The survey will be conducted using Constant Contact (www.constantcontact.com/survey), a company/service that Crabtree + Company (C+C) has used successfully for numerous clients (including NSF) for four years.

It will be distributed to all email addresses in the SciVis database, with the exception of press contacts. This database was created with NSF’s contacts and for the past three years it has been augmented based on C+C’s research and connections within the science and engineering communities. The survey will be sent from: sevc@crabtreecompany.com, the email address that is used for all SciVis email-based promotion and fulfillment communications.

Crabtree + Company staff will select a template, write the questions, select a format for each answer, test the survey, then send out an eblast from which the recipients can hyperlink to the survey questions. After clicking on the hyperlink, participants are connected to the survey webpage, where they are prompted to answer a series of questions (listed below). Survey answers and results are automatically compiled, and they can be reviewed at any time by logging into Constant Contact. Upon completion of the survey, results will be submitted to NSF.

Content

Survey Title: International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge Survey

Introduction: As we begin the seventh year of the International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge, we want to reach out to both active and potential participants to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Our goal is to increase participation and broaden the professional and geographic range from which entries are submitted. The survey will take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete and will cover topics such as:

• your perceptions / evaluations of the Challenge

• what you gained from participating

• any recommendations you have for making the Challenge more relevant or of greater interest to future entrants

Please answer the questions below, and provide comments, as applicable.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and feedback.

1. How did you first hear about the International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge? (Mark all that apply.) If you have suggestions for additional ways to promote the Challenge, please describe them in the box below. (multiple-select, multiple choice)

• NSF website

• AAAS website

• Science magazine ad

• Science magazine special feature

• Postcard

• eBlast

• Other (please specify) _________________

(Includes a box for additional comments)

2. What method of promotion communication do you find is most effective? (open-ended)

3. Which of the following best describes your occupation? (multiple-select, multiple choice)

• Graphic Artist

• Photographer

• Illustrator

• Web developer/master

• Researcher

• Educator

• Student - Level: _________________

• Other (please specify: _______________________)

4. Have you ever submitted an entry to the International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge? (open-ended)

If yes, which of the following describes your reason for entering the Challenge? (multiple-select, multiple choice)

• Display your talent

• Recognition of your work

• Possibility of your work appearing in the journal Science

• Possibility of your work appearing on the NSF and/or Science web sites

• Other (please specify) ________________________

If no, which of the following describes your reason for not entering the Challenge? (multiple-select, multiple choice)

• Too difficult

• No cash prizes

• Time-frame not convenient

• Other (please specify) _________________________

5. This year, the deadline for entries changed from May 31^st to September 15^th. Please select the answer below that best describes your response to this change. (single-select, multiple choice)

• More likely to submit an entry

• Less likely to submit an entry

• Timing of deadline is not an issue

6. If you participated in a previous SciVis Challenge, using the list below, please rate how important is confirmation of receipt.

• Very important

• No preference

• Not important at all

7. If you have participated in a previous SciVis Challenge, how was your experience? (open-ended)

8. Please list any additional suggestions for ways to improve the experience of entering the Challenge. (open-ended)

This information will be compiled and submitted to the National Science Foundation for review and implementation, as applicable and appropriate. Thank you.

Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(b), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to an information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number.  The OMB control number for this collection is 3145-0157.  Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 443hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions.  Send comments regarding this burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:  Reports Clearance Officer, Facilities and Operations Branch, Division of Administrative Services, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA  22230.