What's Your Social Media Sophistication? The SMQ Quiz (version III)

The Social Media Quotient (SMQ) Quiz has been one of the most popular Social Media in Organizations (SMinOrgs) resources. Now over three years old, it has been updated to more accurately reflect the universe of social media sites and tools and to better capture people’s knowledge and experience. This post provides an overview and a link to the latest version of the quiz on SlideShare, offers suggestions for using it, and requests feedback. The answer key is available by request.

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In 2009 I created a “fast and fun” SMQ (Social Media Quotient) Quiz to capture people’s social media sophistication. The quiz has been very well received, both in person and in cyberspace. Last year I overhauled the quiz to more accurately reflect the social media universe, correct some of the recognized weaknesses in the first version, and better capture people’s knowledge and experience (read this post to learn more). The revised version is a lot more complex than the original version, so it’s not quite as “fast, ” but it’s still “fun.” More importantly, it's "educational," having proven itself to be a reliable tool for learning and discussion.

Since it’s been about a year since the SMQ Quiz II was published, I figured it was due for a tune-up. My revisions this time were not extensive – perhaps a sign that things are finally settling down? – but a few tweaks were necessary.

Scroll down or click here to access the SMQ Quiz III on SlideShare

To obtain a copy of the answer key, please message
 SMQquiz@sminorgs.net

As with previous versions, I welcome feedback to both improve the quiz and identify additional ways in which it can be used. Please feel free to share this post/the quiz with others and solicit their feedback as well.

Thanks!

- Courtney Shelton Hunt, PhD

 

How I Use the SMQ Quiz

The SMQ Quiz has been a great addition to my presentations and workshops, both as an ice-breaker and to illustrate particular points (e.g., the social media universe extends well beyond LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook). Therefore, I try to include it whenever time allows.

When I introduce the quiz (which is invariably a surprise), I let them know there are prizes for the people with the highest scores (usually something paper-based – I love the irony). As they start to complete the quiz, the buzz is palpable - a mixture of nervousness, embarrassment, and test anxiety. But the tone is energetic, almost always jovial, and usually quite loud as most people immediately go into "cheating mode" in an effort to increase their scores and minimize their potential humiliation. : ) 

Since I typically present to social media novices and initiates, it usually only takes them a few minutes to complete the quiz. Once everyone’s ready I ask them for a show of hands for each category and then narrow it down to the highest scorer . We then walk through the quiz as a large group, identifying the answers together. This process can be somewhat time consuming, but it’s worthwhile for a number of reasons:

• The first pass through the quiz highlights what they don’t know and reinforces how big the social media universe is. Even when they “cheat” (discussing answers with their neighbors, looking things up on their mobile devices), their scores are pretty low.
• The second pass highlights that they know more than they think they do. Once we start talking, the light bulbs go off and they start to realize they they’re much more aware of and actively engaged with social media than they thought. When we talk about Flickr, for example, they can easily identify other photo sharing sites.
• The second pass also teaches them about new sites and tools they weren’t previously aware of. Social bookmarking platforms, for example, are still relatively unknown, as are aggregator sites like HootSuite and NetVibes.

 

Other Potential Uses of the SMQ Quiz

In addition to being included in presentations and workshops as detailed above, the SMQ Quiz can also be used:

• To jump-start conversations about social media sites/tools and their value/usage.
• To guide the development of social media presentations/courses, by providing the quiz in advance and using the results to identify preliminary knowledge/engagement.
• As a way of assessing individual sophistication, in conjunction with training and college courses, or in terms of measuring readiness for organizational initiatives.
• As a pre- and post-test for workshops and training courses, as a high-level assessment of learning and skill development. 
• As a preliminary means of testing and screening self-proclaimed social media experts (though be careful of legal risks if used as part of the employee hiring process).

 

Feedback Welcome

Since social and digital technology, platforms, and tools will continue to change, a fourth version of the SMQ Quiz is likely inevitable. Given that, I continue to welcome any and all feedback on the following (I’ve bolded the areas I’m most interested in):

• The instructions and scoring details
  • How clear are the quiz and scoring instructions?
  • Do the scoring ranges/labels make sense? Did your score match your sense of your own sophistication? Why or why not? What changes would you suggest?

• The selected sites/tools
  • Do you think there’s a better icon to represent a specific category of site/tool (e.g., StumbleUpon or Digg rather than Reddit?)
  • What strikes you as missing? What other platforms/tools would you recommend?
  • Do any sites/tools seem too arcane/rarely used to include?
  • What sites/tools, if any, have such a strong US bias that they limit the global value of the quiz?

• Validity and application
  • What limitations do you see in terms of validity and reliability? How can the quiz be improved as a (quasi-)scientific measure?
  • What other applications can you see for the quiz?

You can provide your feedback in the blog post comments or send them to me privately via SMQ@sminorgs.net

Related Resources

Here are two pieces that focus on the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for Digital Era Success:

• The New Digital Divide: Thoughts for Leaders and Laggards
• Digital Era Competencies: How Do You Stack Up?

Earlier this year I wrote a series of S.M.A.R.T. Blog posts targeted to social media rookies and others who want to engage more efficiently and effectively. These posts capture many of the "Welcome to the Digital Era" themes I highlight in the presentations I give and offer realistic guidance. Click on the links below to read more about: 

• Social Media: From Novelty to Utility
• Social Media Engagement: 7 Rules for Working Smart, not Just Hard
• Social Media Engagement: 5 Guiding Principles
• Social Media: Coping with Time & Information Realities
• Social Media in Just Minutes a Day? 7 Reality Checks 

Additional guidance and other resources can be found on the SMinOrgs website and/or via our email archive.

Social Media Quotient (SMQ) Quiz III from Social Media in Organizations (SMinOrgs)