ITGC Faculty Survey
INTRO IT Support Needs for Research
Purpose: To obtain data that the Research Subcommittee of the Information Technology Governance Committee
(ITGC) may use to (i) identify specific technical support researchers require and (ii) work with Information
Technology Services (ITS) to develop a plan to expand ITS support for research to a level that faculty will
enthusiastically endorse.
The following terms appear in the survey; The definitions included are: Currently Supported - under warranty and
network safe with standard updates and monitoring.
Legacy - out of initial warranty, but network safe with updates and monitoring. Antiquated - no further updates
available and decreasingly network safe.
Q1 What portion of your current workload is dedicated to research?
Q2 Do the computer selections made available to you by ETSU fulfill your research needs?
 The computer selections available are not suitable for my research at all.
 The computer selections available are suitable for some of my research, but not all of it.
 The computer selections available fulfill my research requirements completely.
Q3 Would ITS assistance with organization of technical specifications and cost estimates for inclusion in grant
applications, compliance reports, publications, and presentations be beneficial?
 This would not be beneficial to me at all and I would not use it.
 This would not be very beneficial to me, but I would periodically use it if it were available.
 This would be extremely beneficial to me and I would use it often.
Q4 Does your current research budget support purchase of new research computers, required software and
updates, network backup, and other research-related IT needs? Please select the appropriate type of funding for
each of the following items.
Zero Funding
Partially Funded
Fully Funded
New research
computers



Required software and
updates



Network backups



Other research related
IT needs



Q5 If available, would you request a legacy (i.e. out of initial warranty, but network safe with updates and
monitoring) computer to be used for research purposes
 No, I would not request a legacy computer at all.
 Maybe, but it would depend on if it could support the software, etc. that I need.
 I would definitely request a legacy computer.
 Other: ____________________
Q6 Would you purchase a 2yr extended warranty, a one time cost of $125, for the legacy computer you use for
research purposes?
Legacy - out of initial warranty, but network safe with updates and monitoring.</span>
 Yes
 No
 I do not use or intend to use a legacy computer.
Q7 If available, would you borrow an ITS laptop or iPad when attending research conferences or giving
presentations outside of ETSU?
 No, I would use my own if I needed to.
 Yes, I would borrow one some of the time (depending on the circumstances).
 Yes, I would borrow one every time.
Q8 Would you like assistance with migration of specialized research software (not routinely deployed to ETSU
computers) and non-traditional data (not in standard document format) at the time of computer replacement?
 No, I don't have any software like that.
 No, either I or someone in my office/department can do that.
 Maybe, if I try and can't do it myself.
 Yes, I would definitely like assistance any time that I replace a computer.
Q9 If available, would you use a HIPPA-certified cloud based storage system to routinely backup your research
data?
 No, I would never use a cloud based storage system.
 Maybe, but I would need more information and training to make an informed decision.
 Yes, I would definitely use a cloud based system.
Q10 Would you use a cloud based research project management application?
 No, I would never use an application like that. I like my current methods.
 Maybe, but it would depend on the functionality of the application and the type of projects that I had at the
time.
 Yes, I would definitely use a cloud based project management application.
Q11 Do you require access to a High Performance Computing Cluster?
 Never
 Not very often
 Occasionally
 Frequently
Q12 Do you require specialized assistance with research data? Examples include conversion of antiquated data
formats (e.g. paper/tape to digital), long term data preservation or unusually large file transfers (>1GB) between
collaborators.
 Never
 Not very often
 Occasionally
 Frequently
Q13 If available, would you like generalized programming assistance?
 No, I don't need it.
 Yes, sometimes I need programming assistance.
 Yes, I frequently need programming assistance.
Q14 Do you require assistance to sustain research-related software (or computer programs) that you created or
that were designed in support of your research program?
 No, I have not created any software or programs for my research.
 No, I don't need any assistance now, but I may in the future.
 Yes, I need assistance immediately.
Q15 Would you use a secure collaborative authoring tool (password protected, edit checkout notification) for use
with grant facilitators, co-researchers, graduate and undergraduate research students, or others?
 No, I have other methods in place that I like better.
 Maybe, it would depend on the project.
 Yes, I would use it for all of my projects.
Q16 If available, would you utilize ITS assistance with evaluation of specialized research hardware, software, and
open-source applications?
 No, I would do my own evaluation.
 No, I would ask someone else.
 Maybe, it would depend on the product.
 Yes, I would use it all the time.
Q17 Would you be willing to serve as a volunteer to help ITS test new products with research applications?
 No.
 Only if the product could be beneficial to me.
 Yes, anytime.
Q18 Would you like ITS personnel to be available to join brainstorming sessions to solve major technical problems
or to develop research plans with technical elements?
 No, that wouldn't really help me any.
 Yes, it wouldn't help me but I know it will help others.
 Yes, that would help me a lot.
Q19 Do you currently need ITS help with a legacy or antiquated product? Examples include (i) critical software
which no longer operates on a currently supported operating system or (ii) a research instrument transferring
data to an antiquated offline computer.
 I don't require any assistance with that at this time.
 I don't require any assistance now, but may in the future.
 I require assistance with that immediately.
Q20 Do you require assistance to make operating system updates and estimate the safe lifespan of a "Legacy"
computer currently in use?
 I don't require any assistance with that at this time.
 I don't require any assistance now, but may in the future.
 I require assistance with that immediately.
Q21 If available, would you use ITS assistance when making presentations at distant locations? E.g. confirmation of
available technology, pre-conference presentation file transfers, or remote access to ETSU servers.
 No, I would never use that.
 I would use it sometimes.
 I would use it often.
Q22 Do you have specialized computer account requirements; e.g. temporary access for graduate students, visiting
researchers, or limited access accounts?
 I have no need for special account requirements.
 Sometimes I need special account requirements.
 I frequently need special account requirements.
Q23 Would you like an ITS representative to be available when vendors are installing or repairing specialized
research equipment that requires computer or network support?
 No, I would never use this.
 Yes, I would use this sometimes if I needed it.
 Yes, I would use this for every installation/repair.
Q24 If workshops were offered on the following topics, please indicate how likely you would be to attend each one.
Very Likely
Somewhat Likely
Not Very Likely
Not Likely at All
Social Media (Facebook, Twitter)




Research Networking (e.g.
ResearchGate)




Digital Publishing (Adobe)




Crowd source funding (e.g. KickStarter)




Statistical Packages (SPSS, R, STATA)




Survey tools




Data visualization/presentation




Effective conference presentations




Q25 Do you need support or a consultation from someone in the ITS department to help you figure out how to use
technology to study topics within the Humanities? For example, using computer software to digitally map
descriptions of ancient roads and compare them to current roadways.
 No. I do not need help in this area right now and probably will not in the future.
 No. I do not need help now, but may in the future.
 Yes. I definitely know that I either need help now or will in the future.
Q26 Please identify any currently licensed research-related software that you have purchased so it may be added
to the software database being developed by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Even single
license programs should be added as the intent is to identify potential savings through group or enterprise
purchases.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Q27 Please identify research-related software applications for which you would like to see a campus-wide
enterprise license for.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Thank you for taking the time to fill out our survey. It is only by understanding your research needs that we can
better serve you in the future. If you wish to participate in future software testings/focus groups hosted by the
Information Technology Department or would like a follow-up contact from someone on this committee to further
discuss your needs and this survey, please click NEXT. Your survey will be submitted and you will then be directed
to a separate site where you can sign up if you choose.