GCASS - Help/FAQ

HELP/FAQ
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	GCASS - a safety tool This survey is a tool for your CO. The value of the data is directly proportional to the effort that you (the survey administrator) and your command put into conducting the survey.
	Best path to enter the "Ground Climate Assessment Survey System" website The best path to enter the survey website is to go to the Ground Climate Assessment Survey System (GCASS) website (www.semperfisurveys.org).
	Anonymity of the survey respondents This survey process will NOT succeed unless survey respondents are assured that they have complete anonymity of their responses. The battalion/squadron survey administrator should emphasize to all survey participants that their demographic responses can never be connected to their safety item responses. All responses, both demographic and safety item, are only viewable in aggregate by the CO.
	Confidentiality for the CO Only your CO will receive the access code to view his/her data. If anyone else wants the access code, they will have to get it from your CO.
	How often a battalion/squadron should take the survey process Requirements for completing any safety climate assessment surveys are established in Chapter 2 (Ground) and Chapter 3 (Aviation) of Enclosure 1 in MCO 5100.29B and are summarized in the Marine Climate Survey Requirements Matrix.
	Who should take the survey The GCASS surveys are generally designed to solicit feedback from all personnel in your command. Some surveys are focused toward particular individuals or groups within the command - for example, the motorcycle survey is intended only for those Marines who operate a motorcycle on a regular basis. Requirements for completing any safety climate assessment surveys are established in Chapter 2 (Ground) and Chapter 3 (Aviation) of Enclosure 1 in MCO 5100.29B and are summarized in the Marine Climate Survey Requirements Matrix.
	How many personnel should take the survey ALWAYS request a number of surveys equal to the total number of personnel in your unit who should take a particular survey. Then, strive to achieve participation from as many personnel as possible. If 100% participation is not achieved, refer to Table 1 for determining an acceptable level of responses for each survey.
	Setting up the survey To set up the survey for your battalion/squadron, select "SET-UP UNIT SURVEY" from the menu to the left. Complete the forms indicating which surveys your battalion/squadron requires, how many respondents for each survey, and your unit's contact information. Then, to finalize your request, call the survey managers toll-free at: 888-603-3170 If phone contact is not available, please e-mail: surveys@AdvancedSurveyDesign.com. You will be given a unique survey ID for each group of survey respondents. So, for example, all the Marines taking the GCA will use one survey ID, those taking the motorcycle survey will have another survey ID, etc. If you break it into groups, like instructors and students, then each group will have a unique survey ID.
	How to conduct the survey Recommend the battalion/squadron set up computers in your workspaces or ready room. The computers should be open to the survey website with the appropriate survey ID displayed for the surveys being conducted. Respondents can take the survey (usually 5-10 minutes per person) and then leave.
	Taking the first survey Recommend the unit survey administrator take the first survey so that he/she is better informed if anyone has any questions.
	Minimum survey submissions Unit survey administrators should strive to obtain the maximum possible participation. There is no set minimum percentage. Refer to Table 1 for determining a minimum sample size of a finite population. If participation rates are low, the CO can be debriefed, but we will advise him that the statistical confidence level for his current results is low. We do NOT monitor survey submission rates; that is the responsibility of the unit's survey administrator. Once the administrator believes that all respondents have completed the survey, contact us and we will contact your CO via telephone to debrief the results.
	What to do after completing the survey process When maximum survey participation has occurred, contact Bob Figlock, Mike Schimpf, or Don Lawson (888-603-3170 or surveys@advancedsurveydesign.com). They can verify your command's current level of participation and then call your CO with the CO's access code(s). If you are deployed aboard ship or in a theatre with limited telephone service, the Access ID codes will be e-mailed to your CO.
	Printing from the display screen The Ground Climate Assessment Survey System's web page is basically divided into a left-sided panel (red background) and a right-sided panel (light gold background). To print from the right-sided panel: (1) highlight anything (e.g., a title, a word, etc.) in the right panel, (2) go into "File" in the top left corner of the computer screen, and (3) "Print". Note, the colors within the panel have been selected to provide adequate contrast for black and white printers.
	PowerPoint slide from the display screen The Ground Climate Assessment Survey System's webpage is basically divided into a left-sided panel (red background) and a right-sided panel (light gold background). To make a PowerPoint slide from the right-sided panel: (1) press the "Print Screen" key (usually located next to the "F1" through "F12" keys) on your computer keyboard, (2) open a blank slide in PowerPoint, (3) go into "Edit" in the top left corner on the computer screen, and (4) "Paste" the screen capture into the blank PowerPoint slide.
	Abbreviations GCASS: Ground Climate Assessment Survey System Survey Types: GCA: Ground Climate Assessment HHQ: Higher Headquarters PMV: Private Motor Vehicle MTRCYCL: Motorcycle Survey D&D: Drinking & Driving OD&R: Off Duty & Recreational Activity ASPA: Administrative Support Personnel Assessment VPP: Voluntary Protection Program Survey Item Categories: OP: Organizationl Processes OC: Organizational Climate RE: Resources SU: Supervision PC: Preconditions AC: Acts
	Bandwidth limitation The Internet is the medium that relays information to/from the survey server. Bandwidth is a limitation of this medium. Therefore, plan accordingly. When deployed, bandwidth and connectivity are factors to consider prior to taking the surveys or reviewing their results. A Scantron paper version and an Excel version of the GCA survey are available for use by units lacking sufficient computer and/or Internet connectivity. Please contact the survey administrators at 888-603-3170 or e-mail to surveys@AdvancedSurveyDesign.com to discuss concerns and or issues your unit has regarding bandwidth limitations.