The reason I am surprised is because the only supporting evidence for the second statement is this postby Brad O., the RAR author. The only data sown in the citation is a sample of one (1) from a field of 27,827 wards and branches (from the statistical report given at General Conference in April 2008). Nowhere does Brad O. provide the number of units using RAR. He also makes no claims that the information provided is intended to constitute any attempt at research. An unscientific observation does not constitute valid research. And most certainly he did not make the statement that "this tool will actually improve Home and Visiting Teaching performance for many groups". (bold added for emphasis) Rather he stated "...a healthy majority do experience moderate to extreme improvements". I think a better statement of the facts would read as follows. Informal observations made after a few months from the Return and Report application indicate that this tool may improve Home and Visiting Teaching performance for many groups.Why is this project so important?
Research has shown that a Home Teaching / Visiting Teaching application will free up Church members to focus more on the needs of their assigned households or sisters. Research has also shown that this tool will actually improve Home and Visiting Teaching performance for many groups.
This second claim led me to try and find supporting evidence of the first claim. I can not find any. If research has been conducted - then who did it? What was the methodology used to collect and test the data? Where is it published? How did the 'researchers' arrive at the conclusion that "[the] application will free up Church members to focus more on the needs of their assigned households or sisters.." (bold added for emphasis)
I agree that the project and the resultant tool is important. My point is that a project such as this should not use marketing puffery. It is not necessary. This project is sponsored by the Church and as such we must be careful with the words we choose to represent the project.
If I am wrong about the research I will gladly recant.
I posted on this forum because I could not find an appropriate place on the wiki to make this point.