Revisiting the Department of Defense SBIR Fast Track Initiative (2009) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix A: Survey Methodology and Administration
Appendix A: Survey Methodology and Administration
Pages 81-94
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From page 81... ...
The projects selected for this sample included DoD Fast Track award winners, Phase II Enhancement awards and other DoD awards (which were neither Fast Track nor Phase II Enhancement) selected as a control group.1 The prior studies of SBIR commercialization by GAO in 1991 showed that it often takes several years after completion of Phase II before significant sales are achieved.2 The 1991 survey questionnaire was sent all the Phase II awardees from the first 4 years -- 1984 through 1987 -- in which the agencies made Phase II awards.
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From page 82... ...
The sample of 219 Phase II Enhancement awards surveyed was selected to be comparable to the Fast Track awards.6 In selecting the Phase II awards for a control group survey, random samples were drawn from each award year from 1997 to 2002. This ensured that the overall average age was comparable to that of the Fast Track sample and that the number per service was comparable to the number per service from the combination of the Fast Track and Phase II Enhancement samples.
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From page 83... ...
This same format was applied for the 2006 study. Four additional questions dealing with Fast Track and Phase II Enhancement were added to both the firm and Phase II surveys.7 The section above on sample selection described how Phase II awards to be surveyed were selected.
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From page 84... ...
Despite these disadvantages, which limit response rates, the existence of the encoded 2005 survey, responses to that survey, and already established web site procedures for survey administration, together made the use of a similar on line survey the most cost effective approach for the administering -- in 2006 -- the DoD Phase II Enhancement survey. Since many of the firms and some of the Phase II projects had responded to the survey administered in 2005, the research team wanted to avoid asking the firm for answers already provided.
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From page 85... ...
C FAST TRACK REVISITED, AND INITIAL EVALUATION OF PHASE II ENHANCEMENT We now turn to a description of the characteristics of the survey sample groups and copies of the announcement letters.
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From page 86... ...
All 392 Phase II awards were conferred from 1997 to 2002. Average Time Since Award At the time of the survey, the average age for sampled awards was: Fast Track 7.2 years, Phase II Enhancement 6.9 years and Control group 7.2 years.
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From page 87... ...
Many firms, sampled for awards in one category, had awards that were not sampled in other categories; e.g., a sampled Fast Track award and a not sampled Phase II Enhancement in the same time frame.
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From page 88... ...
A survey of leading academic journals by the American Association for Public Opinion Research found that there is no consensus on a cutoff threshold, with several journal editors noting that they often make judgments on the validity of survey size on a case-by-case basis.19 Improving Response Rates Response rates can be improved by pre-notification letters from reputable organizations, by keeping surveys short, and by sending follow-up reminders. The salience of the issue being surveyed to the persons being surveyed is also a factor in improving response rates.20 16 Ibid.
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From page 89... ...
Twelve hundred firms completed surveys in 2005 I am asking now for your assistance in evaluating two important DoD SBIR initiatives -- Fast Track and Phase II Enhancement. A new survey will include all Phase II awarded from 1997 to 2002, which were either Fast Track or Phase II Enhancement, as well as a control group consisting equal number of standard Phase II awards.
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From page 90... ...
The survey is will be distributed to your POC by email in the near future. Please note, survey responses will be confidential.
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From page 91... ...
Thank you for the effort that your firm spent on completing those surveys I am asking now for your assistance in evaluating two important DoD SBIR initiatives -- Fast Track and Phase II Enhancement. The new survey will include all Phase II awarded from 1997 to 2002, which were either Fast Track or Phase II Enhancement, as well as a control group consisting equal number of standard Phase II awards.
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From page 92... ...
An appropriate POC would often be the CEO, CTO, business manager, or principal investigator. In any case, he/she should be knowledgeable of the products of your SBIR, of efforts to commercialize those products, and your firm's experiences and opinions concerning Fast Track and Phase II Enhancement.
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From page 93... ...
Rate (%) Fast Track 156 61 50 23 32 Phase II 198 12 69 33 35 Enhancement Both Fast 32 2 14 41 44 Track and Phase II Enhancment Control 331 45 107 28 32 Group TABLE App-A-2 Firm Contact Status Email Status Number of Firms Percent of Firms Correct Email 513 81 No Email 24 4 Bounced Email 60 10 Updated with Correct Email 34 5 Totals 631 100
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From page 94... ...
94 TABLE App-A-3 Overall Characteristics of the 631 Sampled Firms Year Percent of Number Percent of Current Percent of Firm Percent of Founded Firms of Phase II Firms Number of Firms Location Firms Employees Prior to 1983 19 >100 1 >200 5 CA 21 1983 to 1992 36 51 to 100 3 51 to 200 15 MA 10 1993 to 1996 24 26 to 50 9 21 to 50 17 VA 9 1997 to 1999 17 11 to 25 13 6 to 20 35 OH 6 After 1999 4 6 to 10 22 0 to 5 28 PA 5 2 to 5 37 NY 5 1 15 MD 5 CO 4 NJ 4 TX 3 FL 3 All Others 25
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