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Web Survey Bibliography

Title Forced response in online surveys: bias from reactance and an increase in sex-specific dropout
Author Stieger, S., Reips, U. -D., Voracek, M.
Year 2007
Access date 06.04.2007
Abstract

Due to computer technology, a forced-response can be easily achieved in online questionnaires and is frequently used to gather complete datasets. An Internet-based quasi-experiment was conducted on the student server at the University of Vienna to study the influence of forced-response on dropout, demographic reports, and the content of the results. Forced-response was shown to substantially increase dropout. In addition, forced-response interacted with reported sex in eliminating a naturally occurring sex difference in dropout that was observed for the questionnaire whenever responses did not need to be enforced. Also reported sex turned out to have a mediating effect on time of dropout: Men dropped out earlier than did women. Further analyses revealed a reactance effect, as predicted by reactance theory. It is concluded that data from online questionnaires with forced-response designs are in danger of being hampered by dropout and reactance.

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Year of publication2007
Bibliographic typeJournal article
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Web survey bibliography - Reips, U.-D. (41)