The selected method of research was an exercise in quantitative analysis using a comprehensive survey applied to a pre-qualified, but non-manipulated, group of senior managers from both public and private sectors of the water utility industry. The private sector managers were comprised of those employed by private water companies engaged in pursuit of public-private partnerships. The public sector managers were city managers, deputy city managers or public works directors employed by cities that own and operate a water utility.
The survey questionnaire allowed survey participants to rank their opinion of a variety of value statements on a five-point scale ranging from strong disagreement to strong agreement. Several of the survey statements were linked to other statements, usually providing a reciprocal view of the same issue. This linkage was designed to test the survey participants' commitment to a specific response distribution, and minimize the possibility of misleading responses generated by reading too much into a single statement. The survey questionnaire was identical in content for both sectors, but each sector utilized an instrument on paper of a different color so that responses could be identified by sector, while the identity of each individual respondent remained confidential. Responses were solicited using a double-blind system to assure confidentiality of response. The survey instrument (Appendix A), accompanied by a letter of request (Appendix B) were sent to a randomly selected list of potential survey participants, 60 from the public sector and 30 from the private sector. A pre-addressed, postage paid envelope to return the instrument was included in the package along with a pre-addressed, postage paid post card on which participants could request an executive summary and/or volunteer for a follow-up interview. This system assured the researcher that participants were drawn from the pre-selected population groups, and served to encourage honest responses by guaranteeing that no response could be traced back to a particular participant.