Web Survey Bibliography
a) Relevance & Research Question:
Swiss based market and social research institute LINK and the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland collaborated on a two year project to develop methods to measure and reduce the bias of surveys, accomplished with the LINK web-panel, the largest Swiss panel with random selection.
b) Methods & Data:
The bias shall be reduced by applying a weighting scheme based on propensity scores. The success depends mainly on the choice of covariates.
To determine which variables serve best to model the response propensity we have conducted an experimental survey. In a CATI survey, people were asked questions concerning psychological characteristics (Big Five Scale), about their set of values (Schwartz Scale), about the perceived costs and benefits from surveys and their internet behavior. Simultaneously, the CATI served as a recruitment interview for the web-panel.
After checking which of the willing CATI respondentsactually did react to their first online survey invitation, we developed a model to predict the response behavior. This model allowed us to boil down the set of possible explaining variables, to a few. These variables are the basis for calculating the propensity scores.
To allow a thorough study of the resulting estimators and their variances we conduct Monte-Carlo-simulations. Observed missing value mechanisms have been implemented and modified to compare estimations with propensity-score weighted data with the universe.
c) Results:
The experimental survey has been conducted so far and could be analyzed. The response behavior has been modeled and some crucial variables have been identified. We can show the explanatory power of the proposed scales. The next step is to start the simulations. First results are expected by the end of the year.
d) Added Value:
Our project is a comprehensive study about applying propensity scores as a method to reduce bias in a well established web panel. We are able to implement easy to use methods in every day web-panel research.
Conference Homepage (abstract)
Web survey bibliography - General Online Research Conference (GOR) 2010 (17)
- Testing the Applicability of Respondent Driven Sampling as an Online Research Method to Sample Hidden...; 2010; Pajak, D.
- Seriousness Checks are Useful to Improve Data Validity in Online Research; 2010; Diedenhofen, D., Aust, F., Ullrich, S., Musch, J.
- Enrichment of Qualitative Research through Online Approaches: New Insights due to Online CoCreation...; 2010; Krischke-Ramaswamy, M., Knorr, H.
- Developing and Evaluating a Student Online Panel.; 2010; Stiglbauer, B., Gamsjäger, M., Gnambs, T., Batinic, B., Altrichter, H.
- Online Access Panels: A detailed look at different Ways of Entering, their Costs and Participation Behavior...; 2010; Führer, R., Keusch, F.
- Eye Tracking and Cognitive Interviewing: Steps to improve online questionnaires; 2010; Tries, S., Sattelberger, S.
- Trial by Ordeal, a medieval approach to a modern day problem; 2010; Cape, P., Cavallaro, K.
- How new engagement techniques and question approaches are revolutionizing online research data gathering...; 2010; Puleston, J.
- Social Networking Sites: New approaches for Online-Panels?; 2010; Drosdow, M., Geißler, H.
- The Impact of Visual and Functional Design Elements in Online Survey Research; 2010; Hammen, K.
- Theoretical model of context-sensitive mobile methods; 2010; Maxl, E.
- Can a professional questionnaire layout make up for a boring topic? The mediating role of topic interest...; 2010; Keusch, F., Mayerhofer, W., Jungreithmaier, S., Weilbuchner, N., Fuehrer, R., Kling, H.
- Using Propensity Score Weighting to Reduce Bias of a Swiss Market Research Web Panel; 2010; Wiegand, G., Jella, H., Beat, H., Stefan, L.
- Potentials and Constraints of Propensity Score Weighting to Improve Web Survey Quality; 2010; Steinmetz, S., Tijdens, K.
- Selection Bias in Web Surveys and the Use of Propensity Scores in Forecasting the Result of the 2009...; 2010; Musch, J., Ullrich, S., Diedenhofen, D.
- Breakoff in Web Surveys of the German Longitudinal Election Study (GLES); 2010; Blumenstiel, J. E., Roßmann, J., Steinbrecher, M.
- The longitudinal effect of incentives on participation and data quality in online panels; 2010; Neumann, B. P., Goeritz, A.