A general rule of thumb is to multiply by ten the number of items in the survey to determine sample size. Thus, a 30-issue survey should have about 300 respondents. Generally, this is enough to sustain the statistical reliability of the analysis. Use a systematic method for increasing return rates. Factor analyze the data to identify broad concerns.
Factor analysis is helpful in identifying which group of issues is assigned the greatest importance.
Additional analyses can be conducted on the relation between demographic characteristics, status, and concerns. To verify findings from the mail or telephone survey and to determine which issues are most appropriate for Cooperative Extension to address, identify a random number of people who are willing to participate in focus group interviews to review and reflect on the data. The method described above is similar to opinion polling. Thus, this method deals with issues that are important to constituents. Determining critical issues is a daunting task.