You have determined your data collection method, designed your questionnaires and materials, selected your participants (or samples), tested your questions on a few close colleagues and friends, and conducted orientation and training. It’s time to go listen to the public and collect your data. Distribute your questionnaires and organize your focus groups and/or interviews.
This is a good time to communicate with the public. Your core team has made the big first step of Listen, Respond, Report – asking for input. The individuals who answer the door or join a focus group will be aware of your efforts, but the rest of the community may not hear about it. Activate the team’s communications officer or point person and raise awareness. For example:
- Create a series of posts about the process on social media.
- Issue a press release to local media outlets, and have the mayor or a team leader available for an interview with a local TV station, radio program or newspaper.
- Create an announcement or post on the local authority website.
- Hold a meeting or an announcement event.
Your goal will be to make at least some members of the public aware that this process is happening. Tell them about the process, your goals, and how they can get involved. Be clear that this is only the beginning of the process.