03/15/18
HAYS, Kan. – Door-to-door surveying associated with the 2018 Hays Residential Water Survey, conducted by the Department of Sociology at Fort Hays State University, concludes Friday.

The survey was designed to gather information on water use, water quality and city-sponsored water conservation programs in Hays. Students delivered questionnaires to randomly selected residences and returned a few days later to pick them up. Participation was voluntary, and responses are completely confidential. Information received was not connected to any specific household.

“Dr. Brett Zollinger and I, along with the student field workers employed on the project, would like to extend our thanks to the randomly selected Hays residents who supported this project by completing questionnaires,” said Dr. Amanda Buday, assistant professor in the Department of Sociology. Buday is the lead investigator in the project, and Zollinger is chair of the department.

Some questionnaires remain out, however, and Buday asks anyone who still has a questionnaire to please complete it and use the postage-paid, self-addressed envelope to return it.

The survey, in addition to providing valuable information to the city of Hays, also provided the student field workers with research experience.

“Due to the civic-mindedness of Hays residents,” said Buday, “it appears this research project will yield over 300 responses, providing a valuable hands-on learning experience in fieldwork, data entry, and analysis for our students.”

Students will present findings at professional conferences, and a report of findings will be shared with the City of Hays, she said.

“We also would like to thank the city of Hays Water Resources Office, the KSU Research and Extension Office, the FHSU Motor Pool, the FHSU Print Shop, the FHSU Student Employment Office, and the FHSU Office of Scholarship and Sponsored Projects for the support they have provided in coordinating the surveying efforts,” said Buday.

For more information about the project, please contact Buday at 785-628-4174.