Web Survey Bibliography

Title Using the Internet to Reach an Elite Population: What Works, What Doesn't?
Author Grigorian, K. H., Rosenlund, A., Sokolowski, J.
Year 2002
Access date 01.06.2004
Abstract The Survey of American Rhodes Scholars study goals were to understand the social origins, educational prestige, and career distinction of recipients of the American Rhodes Scholarship. The sample included the population of scholarship recipients from five generations covering 34 distinct class years and 1,016 living scholars. Using a paper questionnaire, field staff conducted 45 minute telephone interviews with the Scholars. A self-administered web questionnaire was developed for respondents who were unable to complete the telephone interview. As this sample is especially elite, it represented challenges for the interviewers. Many respondents are well known and have professional gatekeepers. To locate, reach and accommodate this prestigious, extraordinarily busy group of respondents, the survey team developed several different protocols using Internet technology, including the online version of the questionnaire. Ultimately, the approach to data collection yielded 853 complete interviews for 84.5% completion rate and 93.3% response rate. This paper details our approach to data collection and assumptions about our strategy, examines which protocols were effective with this elite population and which were not, and explores the reasons why some of our assumptions were incorrect. Finally, we make recommendations for effectively incorporating Internet technology in data collection protocols when surveying other elite populations.
Year of publication2002
Bibliographic typeConferences, workshops, tutorials, presentations
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Web Survey Bibliography - The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) 57th Annual Conference, 2002 (35)