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Author Topic: Homebrewing Hobby Survey  (Read 8872 times)

Offline mrl115

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Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« on: October 31, 2012, 08:56:33 am »
Hello, Homebrewing Hobbyists!

We need your help with a new National Science Foundation sponsored research study that will investigate the characteristics and educational experiences of people who are active in science hobbies. More and more people are engaging in science hobbies; schools and science centers would like to know more about the characteristics of science hobbyists and how these organizations might better support hobbyists’ networking and education.

What will happen if you take part in the study?

The information gained from this research can help science educators and researchers understand how to better teach science in schools and museums, and how to design better community-based science programs. Participation in this study is voluntary. Information you provide will be anonymous. If you complete the survey, you may elect to enter a drawing for a $100 Target gift card.

Please read the consent letter below and when you are ready to complete the survey click on this link
Survey Link: http://ncsu.qualtrics.com//SE/?SID=SV_7OOsR9G0Pkp5I2N

I really hope that you are able to help us in this research study.  Your responses are valuable and we would love to hear your story!

Thank you so much,

Megan Leagon
Research Assistant

North Carolina State University
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Education

Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2012, 02:18:15 pm »
This was a well put together survey.
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Offline WDE97

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Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2012, 03:36:08 pm »
Interesting survey. Megan, I forwarded the link on to my coworkers. Hopefully a few of them will help you out.
Robert H.

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Offline tschmidlin

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Offline pinnah

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Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2012, 08:27:20 pm »
Are home brewers scientists?

While I consider myself a scientist, it is not because I have a home-brewing hobby.

However, I submitted my information
because I just took hydrometer readings on three carboys. :)

Cheers to your work.


Offline alcaponejunior

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Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2012, 06:22:58 am »
Are home brewers scientists?

While I consider myself a scientist, it is not because I have a home-brewing hobby.

However, I submitted my information
because I just took hydrometer readings on three carboys. :)

Cheers to your work.



I would say that homebrewers are scientists, because they utilize science in every batch, and learn about science in order to improve their craft.

I would also say that many homebrewers are mad scientists ::)

Great survey, BTW!

Offline malzig

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Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2012, 07:15:51 am »
Are home brewers scientists?

I would say that homebrewers are scientists, because they utilize science in every batch, and learn about science in order to improve their craft.
Wouldn't that make us technicians? 

I think of scientists are people that use the scientific method to answer questions (hypothesis->experiment->observations->conclusions), so Kai and Sean would qualify.  I suppose we all brew a batch, decide if we like it, form an hypothesis about what we could do to make it better, make it, then observe if it really was better.  That seems like it would qualify us as scientists.

Offline EHall

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Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2012, 01:03:26 pm »
call me paranoid but this survey is funded by the National Science Foundation, A fed govt agency. Sorry but I don't trust the govt enough to give out this kind of information... I don't see the need to go blindly into any survey that pops up asking about homebrewing...
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Offline denny

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Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2012, 02:28:44 pm »
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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Offline ajk

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Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #9 on: November 04, 2012, 04:47:53 pm »
call me paranoid but this survey is funded by the National Science Foundation, A fed govt agency. Sorry but I don't trust the govt enough to give out this kind of information... I don't see the need to go blindly into any survey that pops up asking about homebrewing...

They're not collecting any personally identifiable information (other than your email address, and only then if you want to a shot at the gift card) or really anything else they couldn't get from posts to this forum if they tried hard enough.  So I think you're safe.

Signed,
A Fellow Paranoid

Offline phillamb168

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Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2012, 02:39:54 am »
Ah, yes, the National Science Foundation. Brainwashing us with government propaganda through their insidious IMAX films, episodes of NOVA, and geological kiosks at the grand canyon.

 ;) ;D
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Offline jlo

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Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2012, 06:45:26 am »
In search of great beer I have learned about water chemistry, yeast biology and lots about heat exchangers.

Now I have questions that aren't easily looked up online.  How do I get answers to questions that don't yet have any answers?  I think I might know what happens, but how could I know for sure? 

It sure feels like I'm on the edge of science.  Now to see if curiosity pushes me over the edge...

Offline dimik

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Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2012, 06:59:10 am »
I think of scientists are people that use the scientific method to answer questions (hypothesis->experiment->observations->conclusions), so Kai and Sean would qualify.

Hehehehe, that's what laymen think about the inner workings of research. It's very different on the inside :)
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Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #13 on: November 05, 2012, 07:09:09 am »
call me paranoid

You're paranoid.

Far worse info is available for purchase from marketing companies - even if you don't think it is.  Anyway, researchers rarely turn their data over to funding agencies.
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Offline gmac

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Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey
« Reply #14 on: November 05, 2012, 07:11:06 am »
I tried but since I don't live in a state, it wouldn't let me past the first page.