Survey Results 2005
For the results Forced Migration Online's most recent user survey (2010), please click here.
Between June and September 2005, the FMO team conducted a user survey via the website. The purpose of the survey was to help to determine who uses FMO and for what purpose. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all who participated in the survey. Ultimately, the team intends to improve FMO by making the content better suited to user’s needs, and by making access and delivery as effective as possible. There were 128 responses to the survey, the results of which are summarised below. Any further comments and suggestions are welcome.
What is your age?
| 18 - 25 years old | 11.72% |
|---|---|
| 26 - 45 years old | 71.10% |
| 46 - 65 years old | 14.84% |
| Over 65 years old | 2.34% |
What is your highest educational qualification?
| School | 3.12% |
|---|---|
| Degree | 17.96% |
| Higher Degree | 57.04% |
| Professional Qualification | 21.88% |
Are you or have you been a forced migrant?
| No | 91.40% |
|---|---|
| Yes | 8.60% |
Where do you normally access FMO from?
| Home | 27.34% |
|---|---|
| University or College | 25.78% |
| Work | 39.86% |
| Library | 1.56% |
| Internet Café | 5.46% |
How do you normally access FMO?
| Dial-up | 12.50% |
|---|---|
| Broadband | 33.60% |
| LAN (Computer Network) | 53.90% |
What is your profession?
| Researcher | 18.75% |
|---|---|
| Academic | 14.84% |
| Field Practitioner | 14.06% |
| Journalist | 0.78% |
| Librarian / Information Specialist | 4.69% |
| Teacher | 3.91% |
| Student | 21.88% |
| Other | 21.09% |
What sector do you work in?
| Education | 37.50% |
|---|---|
| Government | 6.25% |
| NGO | 25.00% |
| International Organisation | 14.06% |
| Private Sector | 5.47% |
| Media | 0.78% |
| Other | 10.94% |
In which country are you principally based?
| UK | 21.09% |
|---|---|
| USA | 17.97% |
| Canada | 6.25% |
| Australia | 5.47% |
| Netherlands | 3.91% |
| Egypt | 3.13% |
| Germany | 2.34% |
| Italy | 2.34% |
| Turkey | 2.34% |
| Brazil | 2.34% |
| Zimbabwe | 2.34% |
| New Zealand | 1.56% |
| Uganda | 1.56% |
| Ghana | 1.56% |
| France | 1.56% |
| Other | 24.24% |
How long have you been using FMO?
| Less than 6 months | 28.14% |
|---|---|
| 6 months - 1 year | 17.18% |
| More than 1 year | 22.66% |
| More than 2 years | 16.40% |
| More than 3 years | 15.62% |
How did you find out about FMO?
| From university, college or work | 33.59% |
|---|---|
| From a search engine | 27.34% |
| From a publication | 11.72% |
| From the FM Discussion List | 13.28% |
| At a conference | 3.13% |
| Other | 10.94% |
How often do you use FMO?
| Daily | 7.03% |
|---|---|
| Weekly | 41.40% |
| Monthly | 32.04% |
| Only occasionally | 19.53% |
What do you mostly use FMO for?
| Basic facts and figures | 8.59% |
|---|---|
| News | 17.98% |
| Research | 62.50% |
| Teaching / Teaching resources | 2.34% |
| Other | 8.59% |
Usability of the Forced Migration Online website
| Poor | Good | Very Good | Excellent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Access | 0.80% | 29.68% | 42.18% | 27.34% |
| Design | 0.80% | 36.71% | 42.96% | 19.53% |
| Functionality | 0.00% | 29.68% | 50.00% | 20.32% |
| Content | 0.00% | 12.50% | 46.10% | 41.40% |
| Relevance | 0.00% | 14.84% | 41.40% | 43.76% |
Quotes from users
Could you provide any examples of FMO resources you have found useful (e.g. a particularly useful Research Guide)?
“I frequently use FMO resources as a starting point for research in preparation of grants and proposals. I also use FMO as a starting point for research on topic areas related to articles or other items on which I work.”
“Access to Journal of Refugee Studies and Disasters has been very useful.”
“The thematic resources were extremely useful when lecturing on migration”
“I normally use it for own information and I can confess that I’ve found everything useful”
“The email updates are very useful as one can keep in touch with information through this resource”
“I’m tasked with the responsibility of carrying out Refugee Status Determination (RSD) and anything linked to this field had been useful and of interest.”
“I have found that digital library is very useful especially when to reviews large catergories of ‘forced migration’. It makes me get the big pictures.”
“I am reading material for my research and trying to be updated from a country with a lack of material in libraries that for many years has not bought new material. Specially I suffered this lack of material during the 4 months when I was advicing deputees for a new law on refuge.”
“I teach A Level General Paper and I use the resources for thematic research… so no particular resource.”
“I could get a lot of information on the issue and found myself relief that there are other people like me suffering in the world. And I am confident that we could win one day if all the refugees in the world could jointly make an effort to stop this sort of inhuman treatment of people across the globe.”
“The working papers have proven very useful in providing a snapshot into the state of the field, or current issues.”
“The current new type of forced migration the IDPs and others, are interesting subject for future research. Forced migration is actually interdisciplinary in nature that needs holistic approach.”
What would you like to see improved, added or removed?
“I think it is perfectly adequate as it is”
“It would be nice to have access to even more journals/journal volumes.”
“Please add translations to make accessible refugee public information of legal standards, minimum standards, humanitarian law and refugee law. Poorly funded NGOs working in developing countries rarely have the funds to employ quality translators for local dissemination of information, which is vital for training, awareness raising and refugee-owned NGOs”
“I would like to see a search case in the top of the pages that could help find any needed info with a faster and easier access”
“More online research publication access freely because we come from developing country. Thank you”
“I think the steady expansion of the site has been brilliant and should continue.”
Please make any further suggestions or comments below (for example how FMO might be better promoted)
“FMO seems to be focused mainly on an academic audience, however much of the material is relevant to non-academic and non-specialist practitioners, especially those working with refugee children and young people. It would be good promote it among other practice networks and allow people to be aware of how useful the FMO resources can be for informing practice and developing a better understanding.”
“FMO should be promoted through ESRC at all social science departments (especially through post-grad. seminars), as there is an increase in forced migration research”
“Everything’s great, keep on going!”
“Better publicity among the NGO community”
“The Internet remains the adequate and best tool for promotion but unfortunately in Africa many people don't have access to it.”
“Students in Nigeria are getting interested in refugee studies. I am one of them. I will be very grsted if relevant jounals are sent to me regularly to enable me pursue my interest.”
“This source might be promoted more among national government agencies, involved in refugee-relate matters management, especially those operated in border regions”
“I think the site is wonderful and one of a kind. I love the information you provide and am so grateful that you make this available to the public. Thanks!”
