Web-based Surveys: Reaching Potential Respondents On-Line

The 6th Mediterranean Conference on Information Systems, 2011

Web surveying is growing in acceptance and use. However, web-based surveys appear to have lower response rates than traditional mail surveys. That may be the result of ineffective strategies for web survey implementation. This work puts together a set of important aspects to be taken into account through several phases of web survey implementation. The resulting framework has been developed to guide researchers in building a successful web survey implementation and is structured in terms of software tool selection, questionnaire design and survey administration phases. Research foundations and delivery concerns are also included in a framework to guide researchers in building an instrument able to increase response rates. Particular attention is given to key design practices under the evidence of their contribution for a successful web surveying implementation.

General Psychiatry

Australian Health Review, 2008

This case study details the process and lessons learnt from converting a compulsory comprehensive organisational survey from email to online format. The conversion was undertaken to improve data quality and reduce respondent burden. Key considerations in developing the online survey were ease of use, security and access. The new intuitive system allowed simultaneous access for multiple users, and incorporated dynamic indicators of progress and validation of numeric data. Reactions to the survey were mainly positive-about 75% of user feedback was positive or neutral, they reported the survey was "user friendly" and preferred the online format. Negative comments focused predominantly on the feature of expanding and collapsing questions which these respondents found difficult to manage. Administration of the survey was streamlined, with considerable reduction in time spent in checking and correcting responses for both respondents and data collectors. Although substantial improvements were recognised and appreciated by many users, it is important to acknowledge that users adapt to new technology at different speeds, and adequate support needs to be implemented for all

Internet Research, 2005

Purpose – To provide a thorough analysis of the role of the internet in survey research and to discuss the implications of online surveys becoming such a major force in research. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is divided into four major sections: an analysis of the strengths and potential weaknesses of online surveys; a comparison of online surveys with other survey formats; a discussion on the best uses for online surveys and how their potential weaknesses may be moderated; and an overview of the online survey services being offered by the world’s largest research firms. Findings – If conducted properly, online surveys have significant advantages over other formats. However, it is imperative that the potential weaknesses of online surveys be mitigated and that online surveys only be used when appropriate. Outsourcing of online survey functions is growing in popularity. Practical implications – The paper provides a very useful source of information and impartial advice for any professional who is considering the use of online surveys. Originality/value – The paper synthesizes the vast literature related to online surveys, presents original material related to survey methodology, and offers a number of recommendations.

2003

Among all the existing survey modes, Internet surveys have attracted more and more attention from social science researchers. There are many advantages of Internet surveys. They provide much more efficiencies compared to traditional survey modes, such as the nearly complete elimination of paper, postage, mailout, and data entry costs, as well as the reduced time for survey implementation (e.g., Dillman, 2000). They also have the potential for dramatically reducing the close correspondence between sample size and survey costs (e.g., Dillman, 2000; Einhart, 2003). In addition, surveys via Internet make international studies easier than before (e.g., Coomber, 1997; Dillman, 2000). And they have greater appeal to certain target groups, and can get access to hard to reach populations on sensitive topics (e.g.

Journal of Environmental Management, 2009

Environmental economists have long used surveys to gather information about people's preferences. A recent innovation in survey methodology has been the advent of web-based surveys. While the Internet appears to offer a promising alternative to conventional survey administration modes, concerns exist over potential sampling biases associated with web-based surveys and the effect these may have on valuation estimates. This paper compares results obtained from a travel cost questionnaire of visitors to Fraser Island, Australia, that was conducted using two alternate survey administration modes; conventional mail and web-based. It is found that response rates and the socio-demographic makeup of respondents to the two survey modes are not statistically different. Moreover, both modes yield similar consumer surplus estimates.

Survey Costs by Groves (1989). Each of these texts focuses on the entire process of designing and fielding surveys, not just sampling. Conducting Research Surveys via E-Mail and the Web by Schonlau, Fricker and Elliott (2002) 'is a practical and accessible guide to applying the pervasiveness of the Internet to the gathering of survey data in a much faster and significantly less expensive manner than traditional means of phone or mail communications.' (Midwest Book Review, 2003) 'Review: Web Surveys: A Review of Issues and Approaches' by Mick P. Couper (2000) published in The Public Opinion Quarterly, is an excellent and highly cited article that emphasizes many of the points and ideas discussed in this chapter. It also provides additional examples to those presented in this chapter. Sampling Techniques by Cochran (1977) is one of the classic texts on the mathematical details of survey sampling, covering a wide range of sampling methods applicable to all types of survey effort. Online Panel Research: A Data Quality Perspective by Callegaro et al. (2014) is a detailed examination of and exposition about the current state of online panel research methodology. The text nicely summarizes the what is currently known about the quality of data obtained via online panels, and it discusses the various sorts of errors and biases that can affect online panel results. Research Synthesis: AAPOR Report on Online Panels by Baker et al. (2010) summarizes the results of a report commissioned by the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) Executive Council with the charge of "reviewing the current empirical findings related to opt-in online panels utilized for data collection and developing recommendations for AAPOR members" (Baker et al., 2010: 712). The authors are recognized survey experts from a variety of fields and disciplines and the resulting report is an authoritative treatment of the current state of the art in using online panels for surveying.

2009

In this article, quality criteria for electronic survey design and use based on an investigation of recent electronic survey literature are presented. The results show that a hard-to-reach audience can be reached using the quality criteria that are most important for reaching these types of audiences. It is presented one online questionnaire for the academic staff community at Transilvania university of Brasov,Romania. The Limerik one was tested.