Inelastic and superelastic electron scattering from the optically prepared 32P3/2 state of sodium has enabled atomic collision parameters to be deduced for the 4S-3P deexcitation and the 3S-3P excitation processes. These data are compared with convergent close coupling and second order distorted wave Born calculations. For excitation, both theories agree with experiment, whereas for deexcitation the close coupling theory is in better agreement. A long-standing proposal relating to the sign of the transferred angular momentum is not supported.