AUGS Member Research Surveys

 

Research Survey Policy and Review Dates

AUGS members seeking to survey the membership, or subsections of the membership, may submit an AUGS Survey Request Form below. All surveys are to be submitted to and adjudicated by the Scientific Committee; independent surveys conducted via membership directories, distribution lists or listservs are strictly prohibited. The Scientific Committee will approve surveys based on scientific merit and value of the proposed project; the Committee reserves the right to request additional information.

Two types of surveys are available to members.

1. Electronically distributed surveys
   • Electronic surveys are to be submitted for consideration twice per year. Requests must be submitted to the Scientific Committee by January 31 and June 30. 
   • A maximum of two surveys will be selected to be distributed to members for each deadline.
   • If revisions are recommended by the Scientific Committee only one revision will be allowed.
   • Following approval, the survey will be distributed to AUGS membership at large, or designated subcategory, by AUGS.
   • Surveys must be administered by the survey author, providing a link for distribution by AUGS staff. 
   • There is a $200 fee for surveys approved for electronic distribution.
   • Once a survey is approved, authors must provide a survey link for distribution by AUGS. Email lists will not be provided as AUGS will directly distribute the link to the identified target audience. 
   • Surveys will be open for 6 weeks; after initial distribution, surveys will be posted in the AUGS Community. Reminders will be sent at three weeks and 48 hours before the survey closes.
2. In-person surveys distributed at PFD Week
   • Up to 2 survey projects may be approved for distribution at PFD Week.
   • Requests must be submitted to the Scientific Committee by June 30.
   • Survey author is responsible for printing all surveys and mailing them to the meeting site in advance. AUGS staff will ensure the survey is included in the attendee packets. 
   • AUGS staff will provide collection boxes for completed surveys near the Registration Desk and/or at the back of the conference hall, and will mail collected surveys to the designated individuals.
   • AUGS staff will not provide data entry, content evaluation or statistical analysis services.
   • There is a $250 fee for surveys approved for in-person distribution at PFD Week.

It is expected that academic projects arising from AUGS surveys will be submitted for consideration to the AUGS journal (Urogynecology) and/or for presentation at an AUGS event such as PFD Week. Approval of a survey does not guarantee publication in the Urogynecology journal or presentation at AUGS’ Annual Scientific Meeting. 

Utilization of AUGS Generated Research Policy

Any research initiated, sponsored and/or generated by AUGS and its Committees, Networks or at face-to-face meetings may not be released to the press or be used for the purposes of presentation or publication in a scientific journal without the permission of the AUGS Board of Directors or their designee. Requests for usage of data should be submitted to info@augs.org for review and consideration. Any repurposing of survey findings must include the following acknowledgement: Data for this paper was used with permission from AUGS. 

Information for Authors

Before Submission

• Survey request must be completed by an AUGS member
• Survey must have IRB determination prior to distribution of the survey
• Survey should take no longer than 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
• The majority of questions should be ‘clickable’ answers (yes/no, multiple choice), answers requiring free writing should be kept to a minimum.
• Survey should be submitted for review by as a Word document.
• All proposed surveys should include terminology that stipulates, “by participating in this activity, you attest that you are over the age of 18 years, and consent to participate.” Additional consent language may be requested at the discretion of the Scientific Committee.
• Acceptance of a survey for distribution to the AUGS membership does not increase or decrease the chance of publication in Urogynecology. The publication process is completely independent of the survey process. 

For Resubmission

• The same submission dates apply for resubmission as initial submission.
• Surveys can be resubmitted for up to one year after feedback is received.
• Only one submission is allowed per survey.

After Acceptance

• Survey response rate is typically 18% - 20% of the designated target audience. AUGS membership is typically around 1800 with approximately 1200 physician members.
• An invoice for the survey distribution fee will be sent to the survey author. Invoices must be paid prior to survey distribution.