Local survey to explore COVID-19’s impact on Kingston spending trends

Kingston residents are invited to go online to complete a survey about changes in economic behaviors that may have been experienced due to COVID-19.

According to a release from the City Of Kingston, dated Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, a team of researchers, working as part of the Queen’s University PhD-Community Initiative, is working with the City to explore community and consumer confidence in Kingston during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Data from this survey will be used by community partners on the Kingston Economic Recovery Team, including the City, to help inform decision-making to support economic stability for residents,” says Craig Desjardins, Director of Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships for the City. “Working with the PhD-Community Initiative team brings fresh insights that will really benefit the local community.”

Data will also be provided to local business owners to help them, as they continue to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the release.

The survey contains 21 questions which explore topics ranging from spending habits and financial planning to job security and health concerns, according to the City. All questions are completely voluntary and data will be collected anonymously.

The City says individuals who complete the survey will also be entered in a draw to win one of five gift cards for $30 worth of Downtown Dollars, that can be spent at participating retailers and restaurants in downtown Kingston.

The PhD-Community Initiative began as a pilot project in 2016 and combines students from different programs of study into interdisciplinary teams to assist the local community in addressing a particular issue or challenge. According to the release, the team working on the community and consumer confidence survey consists of three students from Psychology, Chemical Engineering, and Aging and Health supported by two co-mentors from the School of Rehabilitation Therapy and Global Development Studies.

Questions about the survey and research project can be directed to the primary investigator, Chris Deluca, at [email protected].

Complete the survey online at https://queensu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cUR3s6T2636ZYe9.

Learn about the Queen’s University School of Graduate Studies PhD-Community Initiative: https://www.queensu.ca/exph/career-development/phd-community-initiative.