Elvis Presley WWW Virtual Library: Survey report 2000

Second Annual Online Survey of Elvis Web Sites

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Contents

Methodology

Response Rate

General Findings

Outstanding Site Based on Cross-Index of
Number of Votes Received and Vote Rating

Most Popular Web Sites

Sites Receiving a Large Number of Votes

2nd Annual Online Elvis Survey "Special Mention" Awards

Health of the Elvis World

Demographic Analysis

Final Comments

APPENDIX: List of all web sites receiving votes

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Methodology
A standard survey questionnaire was used. It was issued by email to 156 fan club presidents, webmasters and other identities in the Elvis world. Of the 156 surveys distributed, 11 came back marked "return to sender".
To assist receiving votes for as many sites as possible a list was provided to respondents as a guide. Undoubtedly this skewed votes in favor of sites listed but respondents could vote for other sites not listed. A hybrid qualitative-quantitative research the questionnaire involved a mix of closed and open ended answers.
As expected, a number of respondents with their own website(s) or a close association with a website gave maximum scores to those sites. As this is a research bias, we adopted what is termed 'trimmed mean scoring' this process deletes the extreme high and low responses. The impact is a more effective (stable) research result by eliminating bias. It is particularly effective when researchers are dealing with a small sample, as in our case. The researchers consider there were minimal to no issues associated with coding principles and evaluative (analysis) standards in the research.
In the list of Most Popular Web Sites we are only listing sites that received at least 7 votes, ie, sites a reasonable number of respondents were familiar with. Again, this avoids the introduction of bias due to very small numbers. In the First Annual Survey we only listed sites with a minimum of 10 votes. The Second Survey saw a much greater spread of votes, occasioning the reduction to 7. All sites receiving at least 1 vote are listed in the Appendix.

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Response Rate
One hundred and fifty six (156) surveys were distributed (a 41% increase on the First Survey). Eleven (11) surveys did not reach the intended recipient as their email address had changed. Fifty two (52) valid surveys were returned - a 36% response rate (equal to the response rate in the First Survey). This relatively low response rate was disappointing but nevertheless provides a statistically valid sample. Typical mail responses rates are between 40% and 60% and recent internet based surveys have returned a 30% to 50% response rate.

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General Findings
The Second Annual Survey of Elvis Web Sites was typified by a broader range of votes for more sites. One result was a flatter spread of votes a sites. A total of 47 sites (up from 38 in the First Survey) received at least one vote or award nomination (although the researchers note that 17 of these received only 3 votes each as three respondents rated all sites on our list). The 16 sites with 'blanket' votes are indicated by an asterisk in the Appendix.
Unlike responses in last year's poll, there were significantly fewer qualitative responses (comments) on individual sites this year.
An increase in average vote (satisfaction) ratings suggests that webmasters have worked hard at improving their sites during the past 12 months. It is a positive trend for all concerned.
The appearance of several new sites in the "Most Popular Web Site" list reflects the ever-changing nature of Elvis cyberspace and a greater range of choice for cyberspace visitors. Of those sites included in last year's "Most Popular Web Sites" list that appeared in the list again this year, all improved their average vote (with the exception of the Elvis Information Network - although it did receive 2 "Special Mention" awards). This says a lot about the dedication and effort of the webmasters.
A common criticism of last year's outstanding site, the Elvis Information Network, was its inconsistency in site updates:

"EIN is great for a while then nothing new on their site for months with no explanation"
"They need to keep it updated. They let themselves down on this"
"Professional look, strong on merchandising, has reviews, some fluctuation in info content"

The issue of sites that are slow to download was again the major "negative" issue mentioned by respondents. Sites* mentioned several times as being slow to download were:

ElvisNews.com
Apache Elvis (this issue was a problem noted for Apache Elvis in last year's poll)
Elvis World Japan
Worldwide Elvis

* the researchers record that this finding is both a function of file content size and that these sites are visited more often than other sites that may also be slow to download
Several webmasters whose sites were not included in our list drew attention to our omission. Of the 9 requests for site additions in only 2 cases did the webmaster provide votes for the poll.
A disappointing aspect to this year's poll was that despite sending the survey to an additional 45 webmasters, fan club presidents and Elvis world identities, the percentage response rate (36%) remained constant.

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Outstanding Site Based on Cross-Index of
Number of Votes Received and Vote Rating
Last year two sites received significantly more and higher votes than other sites. This year only one site stood out on both criteria:
ElvisNews.com (42 votes)
ElvisNews.com swept aside all other sites in this year's poll. Only the Official Graceland site (with substantial resources backing it) could compare.
Respondents comments on ElvisNews.com included:

"Because I like to know what are the news in Elvis world they're very good sending us all the updates"
"Easily the best site on the web at the moment"
"Great site, always up to date"

A number of respondents did however comment that the ElvisNews.com site is:

"slow to download"

and several respondents added:

"they have a problem, I always have to use the refresh button to get their latest update"

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Most Popular Web Sites
The following sites (minimum 7 votes received) were the top rated sites identified by the survey (average rating in brackets; the average rating for both surveys is shown). The sites are listed in descending order:

2000 2001

Eq.1. ElvisNews.com (www.elvisnews.com) (<9) (9+)

Eq.1 Official Elvis Presley Site / Graceland (elvis.com) NL (9+)

For CD Collectors Only (www.elvis-collectors.com) (8) (8.5)

Eq.4. Elvis Information Network (www.elvis.com.au) (9) (8)

Eq.4. Elvis World Japan (www.biwa.or.jp/~presley/indexl.htm) (7) (8)

Apache Elvis (www.apachelvis.simplenet.com) NL (<8)

Eq.7 Elvis Find (www.elvisfind.com) NL (7.5)

Eq.7 Elvis Is Still Active In Norway (www.uio.no/~ovene/) NL (7.5)

Eq.7 Masters and Sessions (www.geocities.com/Nashville/5826) NL (7.5)

Eq.10. The Canuck's Elvis Page (http://members.tripod.com/~Crazy_Canuck/index.html) NL (7)

Eq.10 Flaming Star Norway (www.grafisk-consult.no/flamingstar/) (<7) (7)

Eq.10 Paul's Elvis Page (www.tor.pwl.netcom.ca/~summer/elvis.html) (6) (7)

Eq.10 Jordan's Elvis World (www.jordans-elvis-world.com) (6) (7)

14. Rare Elvis (www2.arkansas.net/~larryp/relvis.html) NL (<7)

NL = not listed

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Sites Receiving a Large Number of Votes
The sites receiving the most number of votes were:

42 - ElvisNews.com
35 - Official Graceland Site
34 - Elvis Information Network
30 - Elvis World Japan
29 - Apache Elvis
26 - Jordan's Elvis World

No other site listed in the Appendix exceeded 18 votes.
NL = not listed

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2nd Annual Online Elvis Survey "Special Mention" Awards
The following sites were nominated for special awards:

Best Design: Official Graceland site ("awesome site")
Best Information Site: ElvisNews.com ("best news source")
Best Feature: "Elvis Lacks Credibility", Elvis Information Network ("It made me think")
Best CD News: For CD Collectors Only
Best Audio Site: Jordan's Elvis World
Best Animation: Official Graceland site ("Just a beautiful design")
Best Recording Information: Masters and Sessions
Best Links Page: Apache Elvis
Best Visuals On A Site: Official Graceland site
Best Elvis News Group: elvisnews@egroups.com
Best Customer Service

Our question on which sites provide the best customer service was poorly framed and we apologize for this. It confused many respondents and made respondent interpretation difficult. Its meaning will be very clear in the next poll. Of responses received to this question, two sites received numerous mentions:
Amazon.com (for Elvis books and CDs):
"Amazon is great for buying Elvis stuff. Good service and really quick to respond if something goes missing"
Elvis Information Network (for its Elvis query service):
"I've tried some other Elvis experts but EIN is the best place for answers"

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Health of the Elvis World
As is the nature of research there are tangential findings that point to the health of the sector/subject being researched. "Sore thumb*" votes often offer an insight into the "motivations" of respondents and "politics" of the subject area. As a bit of fun the researchers very loosely (and we stress - VERY LOOSELY) analyzed the responses to ascertain how "healthy" the Elvis world is.
In the researchers opinion, on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being terminal and 10 being immortal) the Elvis world has a "health" rating of: 7.0.
"sore thumb" votes are those that stand out as being significantly different in degree of magnitude and/or affiliation to the material vote trend. For example, in a sample of 100, if 95 respondents rate item X as 9 out of 10 and the remaining 5 rate item X as 2 out of 10 it raises a clear research question: is the strong disparity reflective of respondent bias or respondent preference? Secondary analysis can often reveal which of these is in operation.
Analysis of "sore thumb" votes is used widely in motivational and attitudinal research.

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Demographic Analysis
The 52 respondents were:
26*: Fan Club President
23*: Webmaster
6: Other
* three (3) respondents identified themselves as both fan club president and webmaster
An interesting picture emerged when we analyzed responses by the following variables: sex, age and category. On the basis of our analysis we suggest:
Fan Club Presidents are more likely to be female and aged over 50 years
Web masters are more likely to be male and aged between 25 and 40 years

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Final Comments
Several respondents queried the need for our survey given existing web ring polls. It was because of these existing polls that we introduced our survey. The web ring polls have no statistical validity. They are 'self-selection' polls where responses generally come only from those with a particular (vested) interest in voting. As this is not a representative sample of the total audience the results are not statistically valid. Having said this, we are not putting web ring polls down - they are a useful tool for web masters to get ongoing feedback. However a statistically valid survey like ours is also needed. Our poll has greater credibility as we approached a large number of webmasters and Elvis world identities and a large enough number of them responded (voted).
As with the first Survey, there was some criticism of our listing of sites. The list was never meant to be exhaustive (there are simply too many sites to list and sites come and go) and views on which sites are the major sites vary depending on who you talk to. The fact that some popular sites were not listed should not be taken as a slight against those sites - the list was prepared after scouring the links pages of a variety of sites. As expected (and welcomed), other sites were mentioned in the voting and will be added to next year's list.
We hope you find the survey results interesting and we hope they are a catalyst in the improvement of Elvis websites during the next 12 months.
At this time we will run another poll in early 2002. We hope that the next poll will result in even more responses, making the survey more robust with a greater degree of statistical validity.
And finally, a big round of thanks to all of you who took the time to give us your views. We appreciate it!
Gary and Greg (March 2001)
Disclaimer - Elvis Central International is independent of any fan club or web site. We are both professional researchers by day and Elvis fans by night. As we found out during last year's survey, there is another group called Elvis Central on the Internet and operating out of the US. We are not associated with this club in any way.

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APPENDIX: LIST of ALL WEB SITES RECEIVING VOTES
Apache Elvis
Always Elvis*
Club Elvis (USA)*
Elvex Pages
Elvis Blue
Elvis Chile*
Elvis Club Berlin*
Elvis Europe*
Elvis Fans In Australia*
Elvis Find
Elvis In Chile*
Elvis Information Network
Elvis Is In Istanbul Now
Elvis Is Still Active In Norway
ElvisNews.com
Elvis Presley Encyclopedia
Elvis Presley From Poland
Elvis Presley's Graceland
Elvis Presley In Concert
Elvis Presley Superstar
Elvis Remembered*
Elvis Today
Elvis World Japan
Essential Elvis (UK)
Fan Club Italy*
Flaming Star Norway
For CD Collectors Only
If I Can Dream Fan Club*
I Gotta Know
International Elvis Presley Fan Club (Hong Kong)*
It's Only Love For Elvis Fan Club*
Jordan's Elvis World
Keep Him In Mind
Masters and Sessions
Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Denmark*
Paul's Elvis Page
Rare Elvis
Solid Gold Elvis*
Swiss Elvis Team
Taking Care of Elvis (Sweden)
The Canuck's Elvis Page
The Elvis Line (Argentina)*
The King's Corner*
The Elvis Presley Kingdom*
The King's Realm
Visit Elvis Presley's Cadillacs
Worldwide Elvis

* = received 3 'blanket' votes

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