Web Survey Bibliography
Previous research has demonstrated that respondents recognize the formal and graphical properties of a questionnaire. Among other aspect, the shape, proximity and color of response boxes have been identified as relevant characteristics (Couper et al., 2004; Christian et al.; 2007; Smyth et al., 2006).
With respect to open-ended text questions it was demonstrated that the size and the design of an input field to an open-ended text questions have a significant effect on the amount of information reported by Web survey respondents (Smyth et al., 2007). Larger input boxes evoke more information, also a segmented box (with lines) yields more input than a simple box. Based on these findings it has been theorized that respondents interpret the size of the response field as auxiliary information when searching for an answer to a survey question and when formatting the response. Thus, in addition to the question wording the formal characteristics of the response box are also of importance for the amount of information provided by the respondents.
Thus, it has been recommended that the size of the response field should reflect the desired amount of information. If a longer elaboration on a particular topic is expected from respondents a small input fields is less appropriate. However, if the response field is too large it may restrain respondents from answering since the large input box is perceived as a signal that a lot of details and text is expected which might overstrain them (resulting in item nonresponse). Thus, the optimal size of an input box to an open-ended text question is a trade-off of item non-response and the amount of information provided by those respondents who are actually answering the question.
Web survey bibliography - Internet Survey Methodology workshop 2009 (21)
- Pictures in Web Surveys; 2009; Toepoel, V., Couper, M. P.
- National readership surveys: Moving from probability face-to-face surveys to Internet panels; 2009; Vehovar, V., Slavec, A., Petric, I., Sargac, M.
- Why don’t all Businesses report on Web?; 2009; Haraldsen, G.
- An experiment on the effects of non-response reweighting on estimators' precision in a web survey; 2009; Fabrizi, E., Biffignandi, S., Toninelli, D.
- Dynamic feedback in open-ended questions: Experiments on the visual design language of Web surveys; 2009; Fuchs, M.
- Effects of monetary incentives on participation in a two-wave online survey; 2009; Bandilla, W., Haas, I.
- Response Order and Response Distributions: The Format of the Response Options in a Web Survey; 2009; Tourangeau, R., Conrad, F. G., Couper, M. P., Balter, O.
- Anticipated estimation from a panel Web survey: the case of the presence of tourists in the Province...; 2009; Scaffai, G., Pratesi, M.
- Statistical analysis of on-line courses; 2009; Baelter, O.
- Methodological approaches of Web 2.0; 2009; Neubarth, W.
- Is this e-mail relevant? An eyetracking experiment on how potential respondents read e-mail invitations...; 2009; Kaczmirek, L., Faaß, T., Galesic, M.
- File transfer with built-in editing features; 2009; Erikson, J.
- From paper to internet: Design challenges when mixing modes in longitudinal surveys; 2009; Stax, H.-P., Thomsen, P.
- The Use of Audit Trails in Business Web Surveys; 2009; Snijkers, G., Morren, M.
- Yes, VASs can! Increasing the accuracy of survey measurements with computerized visual analogue scales...; 2009; Funke, F., Reips, U.-D.
- Using Mail Contact to Sample and Encourage Submission of Questionnaire Answers Over the Internet; 2009; Dillman, D. A., Messer, B. L., Millar, M. M.
- Improving the Design of Complex Matrix Questions; 2009; Couper, M. P., Tourangeau, R., Conrad, F. G.
- Use of Web surveys in Official Statistics; 2009; Bethlehem, J.
- Relations between functionality and usability of Web survey software tools: An empirical evaluation; 2009; Berzelak, N., Lozar Manfreda, K.
- Turning Grid Questions into Sequences in Business Web Surveys; 2009; Haraldsen, G., Bergstrøm, Y.
- The Electronic Questionnaire Experience in Business Surveys: mode effects on quality and on response...; 2009; Biffignandi, S., Siesto, G., Zeli, A.