As the organization representing all undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo, it is important for WUSA to keep a pulse on what services and supports students want and need. This allows us to make good decisions for the students we represent. Currently, WUSA conducts surveys with all students regularly to help make these decisions. In doing so, we open ourselves up to a substantial selection bias in terms of which students respond. This creates barriers to having a representative view of our membership, its needs, and its opinions. Moreover, survey fatigue from students is an increasing concern for us, especially with the overload of online requirements for students. 

What is the Representative Survey Platform (RSP)?  

A program whereby a representative sample of undergraduate students are selected to answer a series of surveys throughout a given academic term or year. The information that students provide through these surveys will be used to inform changes to WUSA services and help us make impactful decisions for the students we represent.  

Why is it important?  

This program aligns with continued efforts at WUSA to ensure that we are obtaining high-quality and useful data from students at regular intervals. Overall, the goals of the program are as follows:  

• Obtain timely representative data  
• Operate as the go-to for student opinions and feedback  
• Minimize efforts spent on data collection   
• Have quality survey data readily available to advocate and make decisions for the organization and to share with campus partners as needed 

How can you get involved? 

We will be sending out 2,250 email invitations to undergraduate students at UW. These students are randomly selected and are representative of each faculty on campus.  

What is the commitment? 

By signing up for the program, you are committing to completing two surveys per term. Each survey takes 5 minutes to complete. Recruitment happens each term, and you can stay in the program for as long as you are an undergraduate student at the University of Waterloo.  

How will you be compensated?  

Upon successfully completing both surveys for the term, you will have the opportunity to select a gift card valued at $15 from a variety of options (E.g., Amazon, Door Dash, Google Play, Starbucks, Uber Eats, Tim Hortons).  You will receive an email detailing how you can expect to receive your gift card at the end of the term (I.e., April 2023).  This program operates on a termly basis, but there is a special incentive if you commit to the program long-term. If you remain in the program for the Winter 2023 AND Spring 2023 term and complete both surveys each term, you will be entered for the chance to win $250 cash. 

Additional Research Opportunities with WUSA  

If you do not receive an email inviting you to join the Representative Survey Platform, don’t worry; there are still a variety of ways for you to participate in research and consultation activities with WUSA. Follow this link to our Research and Consultation page to learn more.