First Survey Tech Reports Available

The first two tech reports are now out: some interesting data on postdoc definitions and the details of our survey methods, including our tests for non-response bias.

Postdoc Definitions (Tech Report 1)

In reviewing our survey materials, a number of people raised the concern that "there is no standard definition of a postdoc". Our findings: (1) a close look at existing definitions shows that they are all basically equivalent, and (2) fewer than 1 in 4 postdocs surveyed satisfy all of the criteria, so the existing postdoc definition is of more theoretical than practical significance. We propose a useful alternative class of individuals for data gathering purposes.  Read the report

Survey Methods (Tech Report 2)

An overview of the methods used in the Sigma Xi postdoc survey. Of particular interest are the procedures used to test for non-response bias.  Read the report