App C_Researcher Letters

Appendix
 C:
 Correspondence

E-­‐Mail
 Invitation
 to
 Complete
 the
 Online
 Survey

SUBJECT LINE: Special Request From NIH

Dear [TITLE AND NAME]:
I am writing to forward a special request from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
NIH is undertaking an internal needs assessment of some of its communications activities
and recently contracted with NOVA Research Company to assist.
The NIH needs assessment is a multi-pronged effort designed to inform communications
efforts at NIH and to help the agency more effectively communicate with its many
interested audiences, including [researchers] [recent applicants] [officials involved in the
process to apply for an NIH research grants at applicants institutions]. NIH has asked us
to contact you today for assistance with their needs assessment.
We are asking you to complete a brief Web-based survey that will take about 5 minutes.
If you agree to participate, the URL address for the online survey is [insert link]. We
would appreciate your completing the survey within 10 days.
Completing the survey is voluntary. All survey responses will be aggregated during data
analysis; you will not be identified based on your answers.
If you have a question or concern, please contact me -- Dan Eckstein --by e-mail at
daniel.eckstein@nih.gov or by telephone at (301) 986-1891 x112.
On behalf of the Office of Communications and Public Liaison at NIH, I thank you for
your time.
_______________________
Dan Eckstein
Vice President for Health Communications
Project Manager
NOVA Research Company

Reminder
 E-­‐mail
 to
 Complete
 Survey

SUBJECT LINE: We haven’t heard from you yet?

Dear [TITLE AND NAME]:
Recently, we invited you to complete a brief Web-based questionnaire from the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. This questionnaire was sent to
individuals [involved in scientific research] [who support the application process of
applicants to NIH research grants at your institution].
The survey is part of an assessment of information needs among public stakeholder
audiences of interest to the NIH. This survey is being implementing with assistance from
NOVA Research Company.
Completing this questionnaire should take about 5 minutes. Other [researchers and
scientists] [in similar positions] have already completed it. Your participation is
important because the data collected from this effort will help improve future
communication efforts by NIH.
Please access the online survey by clicking the following URL address: ____________
If you have questions about this needs assessment or questionnaire, please contact Dan
Eckstein by e-mail at daniel.eckstein@nih.gov or by telephone at (301) 986-1891.
On behalf of the Office of Communications and Public Liaison at NIH, I thank you for
your time.
_______________________
Dan Eckstein
Vice President for Health Communications
Project Manager
NOVA Research Company