22nd January 2013, 11:52 AM
Gilraen Wrote:I'm confused - this is surely a questionnaire for owners of archaeological companies and not employees. Why don't you send it to them? Am I missing something?
Yes, we are receiving a lot of feedback along those lines. Several freelancers feel it is not for them. Feedback we will use next time around, maybe two separate surveys. The problem we have is that in 1990s when it was originally designed it was aimed at owners of archaeological companies. That has picked up 20 years of continual data asking, basically, the same questions. Which is great, because we now have 20 years of data with changes nicely captured. A big problem is 2008, most companies have laid off portions of their work force and now there are probably more freelancers/(other hard to define workers) then at any time in the last (15? 20? years, anyone disagree with that assessment?). Maybe that is the new normal or the new trend in archaeology, maybe next time around everyone will be employed by companies.
In short, apologies to everyone who has taken the survey and been very frustrated. Decisions about trying to preserve 20 years of datasets and the changing world of archaeology were made and my sincerest apologies to anyone frustrated by the process.