Here are my thoughts on the survey raw data issue under
discussion in the RDS PDP WG. We face four options. They include:
(1) no survey
raw data disclosure (but still mean/std. dev. disclosure); (2) full
survey raw
data disclosure, (3) limited survey raw data disclosure, and (4)
abandoning use
of the survey.
No disclosure (1) is the status quo. Full disclosure (2) maximizes
transparency, at the risk of reduced survey participation and with
little
benefit over simple WG dialogue. Limited
raw data disclosure (3) is the RDS PDP WG Thick/Thin data challenge,
only now with regard to our
survey data fields. The design of a limited disclosure protocol is
beyond the time and resources available to us, and details beyond
mean/std. dev. probably mean a loss of confidentiality. Small
participant size in these surveys means that disclosure beyond
mean/std. dev. makes it harder for responses to remain confidential.
Comments
are already less than anonymous since we know each other’s
proclivities and
propensities. One does have a choice to not comment. A permission
box [Show my
name] is also problematic, given respondent numbers, since it makes
it easier to identify “no name” respondents.
Where do I stand on this? I am for either option (1) the status quo
(no disclosure),
or option 4 (no surveys at all). The survey is a quick aid to the WG
dialogue
and need not be seen as a binding measure of consensus. Survey
results are not
a vote. They are inputs for the WG dialogue grist mill, inputs that
can
facilitate the process of WG consensus. Confidentially poses no
problem since
the consensus process is still within the WG dialogue. The Chair of
the WG, and
the ICANN staff member, act as survey “scrutineers” and we should
trust them to
flag survey participation irregularities.
If (1) the status quo (no disclosure) is not acceptable, I
am in favor of (4) no surveys. Limited disclosure (3) is
logistically problematic,
and full disclosure (2) offers few benefits over simply conducting
the dialogue
within the RDS PDP WG. To recap, I
prefer either the status quo or no surveys at all. I look forward to
other views on this matter.