Web Survey Bibliography
Although comprehension is well recognized as a critical component of the survey question response process, much about it remains unknown. Past research has shown that ambiguous or vague concepts can be clarified through the use of definitions, instructions or examples, but respondents do not necessarily attend to these clarifications. The aim of this research was to investigate where and how to present clarifying information so that respondents would recognize it as essential to their answering survey questions correctly. The research questions were: does placing the clarification before a question, in the same font as the question, or incorporating the clarifications into a series of questions improve survey estimates? Eight study questions, modeled after major national surveys, were administered as part of a probability based Web survey (n = 913 completed interviews). The results suggest that respondents attended to the clarifying instructions. There is some evidence to suggest that in line with expectations, respondents anticipate the end of a question and are more likely to ignore clarification placed after a question than before. Respondents answer more quickly when the questions come after the question, suggesting they spend less time processing the clarification in this position, and their answers appear to be little less accurate. The practice of attempting to highlight the question through the use of font is not supported. However, as predicted, there is evidence to suggest that incorporating the clarifications into the questions and asking a series of questions is the most effective approach. Respondents answers appear to be the most accurate when this approach is employed.
Conference Homepage (abstract)
Web survey bibliography - The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) 66th Annual Conference, 2011 (26)
- The smart(phone) way to collect survey data; 2013; Stapleton, C.
- Exploring Health-related Experiences and Access to Care: Differences between Online and Telephone Survey...; 2011; Doty, M. M., Peugh, J., Shand-Lubbers, J.
- Using Community Information and Survey Methodology for Bias Reduction to Enhance the Quality of the...; 2011; Harvey, J., Prabhakaran, J., Spera, C., Zhang, Zh.
- Response Quantity, Response Quality, and Costs of Building an Online Panel via Social Contacts.; 2011; Toepoel, V.
- The Influence Of The Direction Of Likert-Type Scales In Web Surveys On Response Behavior In Different...; 2011; Keusch, F.
- An Injured Party?: A Comparison of Political Party Response Formats in Party Identification.; 2011; Schwarz, S., Barlas, F. M., Thomas, R. K., Corso, R. A., Szoc, R.
- Asking Sensitive Questions: Do They Affect Participation In Follow-Up Surveys?; 2011; Schaurer, I., Struminskaya, B., Kaczmirek, L., Bandilla, W.
- Designing Questions for Web Surveys: Effects of Check-List, Check-All, and Stand-Alone Response Formats...; 2011; Dykema, J., Schaeffer, N. C., Beach, J., Lein, V., Day, B.
- Differential Sampling Based on Historical Individual-Level Data in Online Panels.; 2011; Kelly, R. H.
- Web Survey Live Validations - What Are They Doing?; 2011; Crawford, S. D., McClain, C.
- Comparing Numeric and Text Open-End Responses in Mail and Web Surveys.; 2011; Olson, K., Smyth, J.
- Effects of Response Formats when Measuring Attitudes in Consumer Web Surveys Across Markets.; 2011; Couper, M. P., Nunge, E.
- Re-Examining the Validity of Different Survey Modes for Measuring Public Opinion in the U.S.: Findings...; 2011; Ansolabehere, S., Fraga, B., Schaffner, B. F.
- How to Survey All 14 000 Swedish Local Political Representatives And Get 10 000 Responses.; 2011; Gilljam, M., Granberg, D., Holm, B., Persson, M.
- Measuring User Satisfaction in the Lab: Questionnaire Mode, Physical Location, and Social Presence Concerns...; 2011; Jans, M., Romano, J. C., Ashenfelter, K. T., Krosnick, J. A.
- Interactive interventions in web surveys can increase response accuracy.; 2011; Conrad, F. G.
- Impact on Data Quality of Making Incentives Salient in Web Survey Invitations.; 2011; Zhang, Che.
- Effects of Mode and Incentives on Response Rates, Costs, and Response Quality in a Mixed Mode Survey...; 2011; Stevenson, J., Dykema, J., Kniss, C., Black, P., Moberg, P.
- Effects of Differential Incentives on Response Rates in Four Countries for a Web-based Follow Up Survey...; 2011; McSpurren, K.
- Completing Web Surveys on Cell-enabled iPads.; 2011; Dayton, J., Driscoll, H.
- The Social Aspect of the Digital Divide; 2011; Johnson, E. P.
- Which Technologies Do Respondents Use in Online Surveys – An International Comparison?; 2011; Kaczmirek, L., Behr, D., Bandilla, W.
- Matrix Questionnaire Design to Reduce Measurement Error; 2011; Peytchev, A., Peytcheva, E.
- Race-of-Virtual-Interviewer Effects; 2011; Conrad, F. G., Schober, M. F., Nielsen, D.
- Which Web Survey Respondents Are Most Likely to Click for Clarification?; 2011; Coiner, T., Schober, M. F., Conrad, F. G.
- Providing Clarifying Instructions in a Web Survey; 2011; Redline, C. D.