Specific info needed on dentists in the US (break-down per specialties
not needed; need only aggregate data on all active holders of DMD or
DDS degree (General Practitioners and Specialists such as
Orthodontists, Endodontists, Periodontists, Oral Surgeouns, etc.).
I'll refer to all of them as "Dentists."
Info needed for entire US (no need for geographic break-down):
- Number of individuals who currently practice dentistry.
- Number of individuals who retired no longer than 5-7 yrs. ago.
- Number of dental students.
- Demographic data incl. age, marital status, income, yrs. in
practices, solo vs. group practitioners, etc. The more info the
better (but, most relevant demographic info for my needs: age and
marital status).
For now, this will suffice. Based on the quality/detail of your
response, I will either ask follow-up questions for additional fee or
(if answer is already detailed) I'd ensure that your compensation
reflects the quality of your info. I'll ask follow-up questions
anyway. If initial answer detailed, follow up questions will be simple
and compensation relatively high (this will ensure fair compensation
for quality/amount of info I receive). The opposite can be expected if
initial answer requires many follow-up questions.
- To summarize: key info includes numbers of inviduals, approx. age or
yr. of graduation from dental school and marital status. Gender of
dentists very important, too.
Regardless of the completeness of your answer, there will be follow-up
questions. Thank you in advance. Time is of the essence. Quick
response with less info more desirable than considerably longer
response time with more info. You can clarify it in your answer (i.e.,
answer some basic questions quickly and then provide more detailed
info a bit later -- I'm flexible). |
Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
24 Dec 2005 07:55 PST
jayb123-ga,
Thanks for the question.
Demographics questions are always pretty tricky, because it's rarely
the case that the statistics available will precisely match the
statistics asked for.
I've found a few pieces of available data on the numbers of dentists
in the US, and a bit on age breakouts and marital status. It's likely
that there's information on student populations as well, though I
haven't seen it yet.
The most detailed source of data is a recent study that reports the
results of a 2003 survey of members of the ADA, and includes a wealth
of demographic statistics...marriage, age, children, job satisfaction,
and so on.
HOWEVER, there's a catch. The report is available for purchase, at
roughly the same price as you're offering for this question -- $50 (or
a bit more, depending on your status with the ADA).
It makes no sense for me to purchase the report to answer your
question, as I'll wind up in the hole. But you may want to purchase
the report yourself, given your apparent need for in-depth information
on this topic. Or, you may prefer to have a researcher purchase it
and have them summarize key statistics for you, but this would involve
raising your question fee to cover the additional costs.
Let me know your thoughts as to what makes the most sense at this point.
I look forward to your reply when time permits, but in the mean time,
have a splendid holiday season.
pafalafa-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
jayb123-ga
on
27 Dec 2005 18:22 PST
pafalafa-ga,
Thanks for your prompt response. I suggest the following course of action:
- I purchase the report (I can get it at a price of ADA member)
- I will share a copy of the report or its contents (unless expressely
prohibited by publisher); it would be for your use only for the
purposes of this particular project.
- No need for you to summarize/analyze report for me.
- I would still appreciate if you agreed to continue this research
project for me (to try to find info not available via report).
- I do have access to all ADA publications (my relative is a dentist)
and I am aware of the list of their publications, etc. I'll review
their current offering in more detail and possibly purchase few more
reports.
- I also have access to several subscription-based research databases
- MY PROBLEM: LACK OF TIME. I would be able to find all the info I
have, but I simply lack time (it's not my business priority and I'd
rather delegate this project to an experienced researcher -- you're
likely to do a better job than I can in a more efficient manner.
- I agree with you that demographic info I am seeking is tough to find
(otherwise, I'd simply buy a report :-).
I have a very good idea of the sort of info the report is likely to
include (I own some of the older ones). There are always lots of
inaccurate data there primarily due to a very low rate response to
ADA's surveys. As a result, the data lacks statistical validity and
the results are sometimes extremely skewed. Anyway, demographics is my
area of interest and those reports do a very poor job re: this issue.
Based on your email, I think that the size of the dental student
population may be one of the areas to focus your energy. However,
let's wait until I get the report. I'll order it tomorrow. After I
get it, we'll have a better idea of what direction your research
should take.
If the above sounds acceptable to you, please wait to hear from me
when I receive the report. Please let me know if this makes sense to
you and if you should have any other suggestions at this point.
Thanks in advance.
Regards.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
27 Dec 2005 19:37 PST
jayb123-ga,
If I understand you correctly, I should just sit tight until you've
ordered/received/reviewed the ADA report.
That's fine with me, and I'll wait to hear back from you.
HOWEVER, you mentioned sharing the report information with me, and
only me> I'm afraid that's not readily done here at Google Answers,
as there is no private contact between researchers and clients. All
information exchange is carried out right here, in these very public
text boxes.
So, again...I'll await further word from you on this.
Cheers,
paf
|
Clarification of Question by
jayb123-ga
on
28 Dec 2005 07:21 PST
How does this sound? You sit tight till I get the report. After I
rewiew it, I will pose specific questions (and share sufficient amount
of info from the Report so that you don't reinvent the wheel.) I will
have plenty of follow-up questions that'll need researching no matter
what.
As long as you're comfortable with such an arrangement, and you
believe in continued interest in doing research on this subject at
that point,I'd like to ensure that you locked up this question. I can
promise that the follow-up research will deal with the issues I
discussed in my initial posting. The depth and breadth of the
required research will evolve depending on the data that we can find.
For example, I may need to have a more specific geographic break-down
of data, etc.
Your thoughts and suggestions? Time is of the essence, but accuracy
and completeness of the info I require is more important.
In short, I am flexible with regard to the process/method/length of
time/scope of research, etc. -- at any point you decide you're not
interested in a particular area of research that I may request, we can
make adjustments accordingly. Essentially, this project has a broad
scope and I'll expect the entire research process to take several
months (to reiterate, specific nature of the questions will be driven
by our findings -- some findings will require confirmation,
verification, etc.).
Thanks for your prompt response and I hope we can work something out.
Regards
|
Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
28 Dec 2005 07:48 PST
jayb123-ga,
Sounds reasonable.
I'll await your next post, after you've received the ADA report. When
I see what you're after in a bit more detail, I'll be able to give you
a more realistic assessment of what I can provide in terms of
follow-up research.
Until then...Happy new year.
paf
|
Clarification of Question by
jayb123-ga
on
28 Dec 2005 19:00 PST
paf,
Will post a message as soon as I receive the report. I appreciate
your patience. Happy New Year.
jay
|
