MIST Correspondence

Attachment D
MIST Correspondence

1

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. Your participation is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
Please take a few minutes to complete and return the brief one page questionnaire in the postage paid envelope.
This will take just a few minutes of your time, and will allow us to determine whether your company is eligible
to participate in the full survey. Also, by providing your email address, we can send you a message with a link
for the full survey on the web.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

One-page screener—No incentive

2

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. Your participation is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
Please take a few minutes to complete and return the brief one page questionnaire in the postage paid envelope.
This will take just a few minutes of your time, and will allow us to determine whether your company is eligible
to participate in the full survey. Also, by providing your email address, we can send you a message with a link
for the full survey on the web. Please accept the enclosed $2 as a token of our appreciation for participating in
the survey.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

One-page screener—$2 incentive

3

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. Your participation is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
Please take a few minutes to complete and return the brief one page questionnaire in the postage paid envelope.
This will take just a few minutes of your time, and will allow us to determine whether your company is eligible
to participate in the full survey. Also, by providing your email address, we can send you a message with a link
for the full survey on the web. As a token of our appreciation for your participating in the survey, we are
enclosing a debit card; within 3 days of our receiving the completed questionnaire, we will activate the card
with a value of $20.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

One-page screener—$20 incentive

4

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Your participation
is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
To complete the survey online, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
If you are not able to access the online survey or do not have access to the internet, a paper questionnaire will be
mailed to you in the coming weeks.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

Invitation to full web survey—No incentive

5

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Your participation
is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
To complete the survey online, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
If you are not able to access the online survey or do not have access to the internet, a paper questionnaire will be
mailed to you in the coming weeks. Please accept the enclosed $2 as a token of our appreciation for
participating in the survey.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

Invitation to full web survey—$2 incentive

6

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
You are part of a vital but often unrecognized part of the economy – the small business community – and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to hear from you.
NSF, an independent federal agency, surveys all types of businesses in the U.S. to measure the extent of
innovation and research and development (R&D) activities in our nation. At NSF, we are tasked with
examining U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and R&D. This survey focuses on the
smallest businesses in the U.S. Your answers will help policymakers address issues such as how small
businesses are affected by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Your participation
is voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential.
To complete the survey online, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
If you are not able to access the online survey or do not have access to the internet, a paper questionnaire will be
mailed to you in the coming weeks. As a token of our appreciation for your participating in the survey, we are
enclosing a debit card; within 3 days of our receiving the completed questionnaire, we will activate the card
with a value of $20.
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

Invitation to full web survey—$20 incentive

7

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here]:
Thank you for completing the 1-page screener we sent you earlier for NSF’s Microbusiness Innovation Science
and Technology (MIST) survey. Based on your responses, your company is eligible to participate in the full
survey. We have pre-filled in the full survey with the responses that you already gave so you already have a
good start on it.
As we indicated in our initial letter to you, small businesses are a critical part of the U.S. economy but we know
too little about them. This survey can help the country to start getting the information it needs to create an
environment in which small businesses can succeed. We want to invite you to participate in this important study
by completing the online survey.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential. The web survey will take
about 20 minutes to complete.
To complete the online survey, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Please complete and submit the survey as soon as possible.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely

Followup email invitation after getting one-page screener returned—No incentive or $2 prepaid incentive
8

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here]:
Thank you for completing the 1-page screener we sent you earlier for NSF’s Microbusiness Innovation Science
and Technology (MIST) survey. Based on your responses, your company is eligible to participate in the full
survey. We have pre-filled in the full survey with the responses that you already gave so you already have a
good start on it. As a token of appreciation for participating in the survey, the debit card we sent you will be
activated with a value of $20 within the next few days.
As we indicated in our initial letter to you, small businesses are a critical part of the U.S. economy but we know
too little about them. This survey can help the country to start getting the information it needs to create an
environment in which small businesses can succeed. We want to invite you to participate in this important study
by completing the online survey.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential. The web survey will take
about 20 minutes to complete.
To complete the online survey, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Please complete and submit the survey as soon as possible.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely

Followup email invitation after getting one-page screener returned—$20 incentive
9

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
About two weeks ago we sent you a letter from the National Science Foundation, with a brochure and 1-page
questionnaire explaining the Microbusiness Innovation Science and Technology Survey (MIST), and requesting
your participation in the study.
We are now inviting you to complete the full questionnaire. You may ignore the 1-page questionnaire sent
earlier; its questions are included within the full questionnaire.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate and if eligible the full survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. By
participating in the study, you will be giving information that is vital to policymakers in addressing the issues
that affect all small businesses today.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential. The web survey will take
about 20 minutes to complete.
To complete the online survey, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Sincerely,

Followup mail invitation after not getting one-page screener returned—No incentive or $2 prepaid incentive
10

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
About two weeks ago we sent you a letter from the National Science Foundation, with a brochure and 1-page
questionnaire explaining the Microbusiness Innovation Science and Technology Survey (MIST), and requesting
your participation in the study.
We are now inviting you to complete the full questionnaire. You may ignore the 1-page questionnaire sent
earlier; its questions are included within the full questionnaire.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate and, if eligible, the full survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. By
participating in the study, you will be giving information that is vital to policymakers in addressing the issues
that affect all small businesses today.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential. The web survey will take
about 20 minutes to complete.
To complete the online survey, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
As a token of our appreciation for your participating in the survey, within 3 days of our receiving the completed
questionnaire, we will activate the debit card we sent earlier with a value of $20.
Sincerely,

Followup mail invitation after not getting one-page screener returned—$20 incentive
11

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
About, two weeks ago we sent you a letter from the National Science Foundation, with a brochure describing
the Microbusiness Innovation Science and Technology Survey (MIST), and requested your participation in the
study.
This is a reminder letter since we have not yet received your completed questionnaire.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate and, if eligible, the full survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. By
participating in the study, you will be giving information that is vital to policymakers in addressing the issues
that affect all small businesses today.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential. The web survey will take
about 20 minutes to complete.
To complete the online survey, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
Sincerely,

Followup mail invitation after no response to initial invitation—No incentive or $2 incentive
12

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

[Date]

Dear [name of business owner entered here when available; otherwise use Small Business Owner]:
About, two weeks ago we sent you a letter from the National Science Foundation, with a brochure describing
the Microbusiness Innovation Science and Technology Survey (MIST), and requested your participation in the
study.
This is a reminder letter since we have not yet received your completed questionnaire.
NSF is seeking participation from a wide range of companies with differing characteristics. Your company was
randomly chosen to participate and, if eligible, the full survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. By
participating in the study, you will be giving information that is vital to policymakers in addressing the issues
that affect all small businesses today.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and your answers will be kept confidential. The web survey will take
about 20 minutes to complete.
To complete the online survey, please enter the following address into your web browser:
www.MISTsurvey.org
Your user login is:
Your password is:
Westat is conducting the survey for NSF, and is available to help you with any questions or difficulties in
completing the survey. You can email their help desk [email protected] or call them toll free at 1-xxxxxx-xxxx.
As a token of our appreciation for your participating in the survey, within 3 days of our receiving the completed
questionnaire, we will activate the debit card we sent earlier with a value of $20.
Sincerely,

Followup mail invitation after no response to initial invitation—$20 incentive
13

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

Dear [name of business owner entered here]:
On behalf of the National Science Foundation and Westat, we thank you for completing the Microbusiness
Innovation Science and Technology Survey (MIST).
We are hopeful that the information from MIST will better our understanding of innovation and research and
development activities among our nation’s small businesses. Your participation is extremely helpful and we
very much appreciate your time and response. As a token of appreciation the debit card we sent earlier will be
activated with a value of $20. We hope you found the survey interesting and useful for your own purposes.
Please feel free to call or email us if you have comments about the survey. You can reach us at
[email protected] or toll free at 1-888-xxx-xxxx.
Sincerely,

Thank you email if $20 incentive offered after completion of survey
14

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

Dear [name of business owner entered here]:
On behalf of the National Science Foundation and Westat, we thank you for completing the Microbusiness
Innovation Science and Technology Survey (MIST).
We are hopeful that the information from MIST will better our understanding of innovation and research and
development activities among our nation’s small businesses. Your participation is extremely helpful and we
very much appreciate your time and response.
Please feel free to call or email us if you have comments about the survey. You can reach us at
[email protected] or toll free at 1-888-xxx-xxxx.
Sincerely,

Thank you email after completion of survey if no incentive remains
15