The following may sound harsh, however, it is not meant to be.
Like all surveys, I think you really should have had them peer reviewed. In particular by someone who has a good commercial or analytical background. The ideal sort of person is someone who does audits. Their brain works in a particular way that is good for getting to the nub of the question, or coming up with the correct question. Which, I thought quite a few of yours, were not, or looking for answers that would have been purely speculative as people would not have known or have the knowledge and there is no way to separate out.
There is a number of questions that really, couldn't be properly answered by a recreational stalker.
For example.
Question 8. I have 3 of the species on my land, so how would I know the answer as I have never shot Red or Sika, so my answer is based on what I have read here or from conversations with other people, who have, but I have no real world knowledge.
Question 10. Financial costs associated with deer. Again, no deer, no financial impact, or lots of Financial impact if you sell venison.
And how would a recreational stalker know. He is a recreational stalker, that is a question that would probably need to go to either a pro stalker, or a land manager, who would have more knowledge. Most of the ground I stalk is large houses where the deer come in and eat the flowers, as an example. Have I got a clue about financial impact, nope. The owner was somewhat peeded off as she had to buy more flowers. So analysis of my answers and people like me would be flawed.
Question 11. What impact do deer have on Vehicle deer collisions?. Well, pretty difficult to have that less than a five, without a deer, there is no vehicle deer impact.
Damage to forestry planting or restocking. My land is arable, so how would I know?
13, well, if there were no deer, then, there would be no deer impact.
Now, whilst I understand what you are trying to achieve, with my business brain on, if I had commissioned that and you showed me the results of that survey, I would pretty much throw it in the bin. Sorry. But, you are preparing for a big world out there and you need to get stuff right. 90% of the work is in the prep.
I will give you an example. I recently asked someone to review a contract, which I had read. He came back and said it was fine, I knew it wasn’t. I had already logged 6 areas of concern. This was to test his abilities in his role, which he failed miserably.
NB, when I did go to university and we had to do our presentations, it was the students in the class who shredded the presenters for big holes in their theory’s or dissertations, the lecturers didn’t have to say a word.
Also, if I remember correctly, the lecturers, who is there to assist you, should have picked up on the questions that needed rewording. I would guess either he didn’t see them, or as when I did it, did feic all to help.
It may have helped you, if you can contacted some deer stalkers in advance who also work in business to help you formulate proper questions.
I have filled it in as best as I could, but, I wouldn't say it is good enough for a dissertation. As per my school reports, Must try harder.
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Good luck, and please take the above in the spirit it is meant, advice to help you in the future.
