We have an internet enabled database of local child care providers. 
We would like to know about the folks using the database without
scaring them off.  Ideally we would ask (via a secure form) all about
them and their children, including ages, names, addresses, salary
ranges, ethnicity, etc.  What is the liklihood that a parent would
enter that kind of info for the kind of info we would be providing? 
What are other organizations with similar offerings requiring?  Is
there any research about how asking for personal info decreases the
liklihood of use of similar information?

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Clarification of Question by amber9904-ga on 28 Sep 2004 06:49 PDT

The site does not exist, yet, so there is no link I can send you to.  Sorry!
I agree that folks will be unwilling to put that kind of information
out there for the world, but I need to convince a committee (eek!) of
that fact.  I guess what I am asking for is documentable third party
research that says exactly that.
Can someone point me to reputable sources that I can take to this
committee to "prove my case"?
Thanks!!!!

Hi, amber. I'm not a researcher.
I'm going to give my opinion as:
--a mother (tho my only daughter is 21 now)
--a webmaster and creator of a half-dozen websites, and as a site
owner who has tried to collect information for allowing downloads

As a mother, I am totally uncomfortable with you wanting (needing?) my
child's name and address. My salary and ethnicity is none of your ****
business either, but only if you're asking my name and address. In
this day of spam, I don't even want to give my email address, much
less my real address.

As a webmaster/site owner, I can tell you that many will provide bogus
information to get what they want. Is that what YOU want?

Suggestions:
--Don't ask personal information. Ask their age, gender, city, etc.
Ask anything you want as long as you don't require personal
information also. You will likely get more accurate information.
--If you have any affiliations, certifications that *legitimize* you
in the industry, display them boldly everywhere where you are asking
for information.
--Prominently display your privacy policy. I put a link to mine at the
bottom of every page of my web: http://www.vbaexpress.com/terms.htm
(see V. for the privacy policy, which is oh-so-important!)
--Depending on the services you offer, AFTER you have allowed them to
search the DB, THEN you can offer up whatever the reason is for
wanting that personal information, and allow them to enter it. Such as
"Please contact me with information about [dropdown choices]." And
then the form that requests the information.

I would love to see the site so I could provide some better ideas, if
you care to provide the link. :)