Visitor Services Project (VSP) Survey for Joshua Tree National Park (JOTE)

Visitor Services Project — Joshua Tree National Park
Introductory script used in contacting visitors:
Hello! The National Park Service is conducting a visitor survey at Joshua Tree National
Park to gather your opinions about the park’s programs and services. Participation is
voluntary. If you decide to participate we would like to have the survey mailed back. The
mail-back questionnaire takes about 20 minutes to complete during or after your visit.
Would you like to participate?

IF NO: Thank you.
IF YES: Thank you. I have a few quick questions for you. Who in your group (at least 16
years old) has the next birthday?
Questions 1-4: Topic area 2⎯Trip/visit characteristics
Question 5: Topic area 1⎯Individual Characteristics
1) What type of group are you traveling with today?
2) (If with an organized group-tours, school, etc.) How many people are in your
group?
3) How many in your personal group are 18 years and older?
4) How many in your personal group are 17 years and younger?
5) How old is the person who will complete the questionnaire?
So we can thank you and remind you to mail back the questionnaire, please write your
name, address, and email address/phone number. Thank you. Be sure to mail the
questionnaire—your opinions are important!

NOTE: Training for interviewers: each interviewer receives 1-1/2 hours of training on
how to conduct interviews. This training goes over every aspect of interviewing,
including conducting the interviews using a sampling interval, avoiding sampling bias,
and how to handle all types of interviewing situations, including safety of the visitor and
the interviewer. Quality control is ensured by monitoring interviewers in the field, and by
checking their paperwork at the end of each day of surveying.

1st follow-up printed on a scenic park postcard (sent to all participants 11 working days
after completion of survey)
Dear Visitor:
Thank you for participating in the (Park name)
National Park visitor study. We look forward to
hearing from you.
A select number of people were contacted for
this study, so your opinions are very important!
If you have already returned your questionnaire,
thank you. If not, please mail it today.
After eight months, look for the survey results at:
www.psu.uidaho.edu/vsp.reports.htm.
(Insert electronic signature)
First, MI, Last, Superintendent
(Park name)
OMB Control Number 1024-0224
Expiration Date:

2nd follow-up note and letter with replacement questionnaire (sent to non-respondents
21 working days after completion of survey)

United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Park Name
P.O. Box
City, ST Zip Code
IN REPLY REFER TO:

Month, Day, 2010 or 2011
Dear Visitor:
The National Park Service would like to thank you for participating in the Joshua Tree
National Park visitor study. Only a select number of visitors were contacted, therefore
each visitor's opinions are very important.
If you have already returned your questionnaire, thank you. If you have not returned
your questionnaire, please mail it today. Unless your questionnaire was mailed in the
last few days, we would appreciate you completing the enclosed replacement
questionnaire since we have not received yours as of today.
In approximately eight months, the results of the visitor survey will be posted on the
Visitor Services Project website at www.psu.uidaho.edu/vsp.reports.htm.
If you have any questions regarding your questionnaire, please contact Margaret
Littlejohn, National Park Service Visitor Services Project Director by phone 208-8857863 or email: [email protected].
Thank you for sharing your opinions with us.
Sincerely,
(Insert electronic signature)
First, MI. Last, Superintendent
OMB Control Number 1024-0224
Expiration Date:

3rd follow-up letter with replacement questionnaire (sent to non-respondents 35 working
days after completion of survey)

United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

IN REPLY REFER TO:

Visitor Services Project
PSU, College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
P.O. Box 441139
Moscow, Idaho 83844-1139

Month Day, 2010 or 2011

I am writing about the visitor study at Joshua Tree National Park, in which you agreed to
participate. The waiting period for incoming questionnaires is almost over and we have
not yet received yours. I would appreciate you completing another one unless you
mailed it within the past few days.
The staff of (Park name) National Park is anxiously awaiting the survey results. They
want to use your ideas and opinions in making decisions about what services and
programs to provide for visitors in the future.
I urge you to complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it by (Month Day). Your
contribution to the success of this study is greatly appreciated.
In approximately six months, the results of the visitor survey will be posted on the Visitor
Services Project website at www.psu.uidaho.edu/vsp.reports.htm.
Should you have questions regarding your questionnaire, please contact me by phone:
(208)-885-7863 or email: [email protected].
Sincerely,

Margaret Littlejohn
Director, Visitor Services Project
OMB Control Number 1024-0224
Expiration Date: