A total of 389 AAAE members participated in this experimental study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Web-based and traditional paper based survey groups. Web-based and traditional paper based survey modes were found to be equally valid and

reliable for collecting social science research data. A difference between the two groups resulted in the aggregate response rate. The traditional survey group exceeded the Web-based group 157 to 98 in total response rate. However, when considering the number of valid returned responses within the first week of data collection, the Web-based survey group exceeded the traditional paper based group 72 to 7. The authors propose using the W/PSDC Model (Web/Paper Survey Data Collection), a mixed-mode survey, to attain large amounts of data and high response rates in an economically shortened time frame. This study provides strong evidence for using Webbased surveys in future social science research studies.