Web Survey Bibliography
(a) Relevance & Research Question: Rating scales can considerably affect data quality regarding mean ratings, distribution of answers, response time, or item nonresponse (e.g., Couper, Conrad, & Tourangeau, 2007; Healey, 2007; Heerwegh & Loosveldt, 2002; Krosnick, 1999; Krosnick & Fabrigar, 1997). However, because implementation is easy, designers of Web surveys are tempted to use special rating scales without knowing much about their impact on data quality. This presentation focuses on how slider scales may harm survey data. Nevertheless, sometimes changes in rating scales are inevitable, especially when scrolling on Internet devices with an upright display (e.g., smart phones) should be avoided (for problems see Couper, Tourangeau, Conrad, & Crawford, 2004).
(b) Methods & Data: In a 2 x 2 Web experiment, type of rating scale (5-point Java-based slider versus 5-point HTML radio button scale) was manipulated as well as the spatial orientation on the screen. On a single Web page, respondents ( N = 779) had to evaluate two product concepts, counterbalanced for order. For analysis, respondents’ reported education was recoded in two groups, below college degree (e.g., B.A. or B.S.) and at least college degree.
(c) Results: Overall, break-off was significantly higher with slider scales in comparison to radio button scales, chi2(1, N = 779) = 12.81, p < .001, odds ratio = 6.92. Whereas respondents in the group with low education had problems with slider scales, chi2(1, N = 451) = 5.89, p = .018, odds ratio = 5.45, no difference in break-off was observed in the group of respondents with a high formal education, chi2(1, N = 321) = 1.66, p = 1.000. Additionally, task duration was considerably higher with slider scales, F (1, 703) = 638,23, p < .001, eta2 = .48. Furthermore, fewer respondents chose the middle category with slider scales. Spatial orientation of the rating scale had no significant influence on break-off or distribution of values.
(d) Added Value: The interaction between rating scale and educational level is a serious argument against the use of Java-based slider scales in general. Overall, it seems that horizontal and vertical layout can be substituted mutually.
Conference Homepage (abstract)
Web survey bibliography - 2011 (358)
- The Validity of Surveys: Online and Offline; 2016; Wiersma, W.
- Computer science security research and human subjects: Emerging considerations for research ethics boards...; 2013; Buchanan, E. A., Aycock, J., Dexter, S., Dittrich, D., Hvizdak, E. E.
- Multiple Sources of Nonobservation Error in Telephone Surveys: Coverage and Nonresponse; 2011; Peytchev, A.; Carley-Baxter, L. R.; Black, M. C.
- Online Questionnaires for Outbreak Investigations; 2011; Parry, A. E.; Johnson, D. R.; Byron-Gray, K.; Raupach, J. C. A.; McPherson, M.
- Inventory of published research: Response burden measurement and reduction in official business statistics...; 2011; Giesen, D. & Snijkers, G. (Eds.), Bavdaz, M., Bergstrom, Y., Gravem, D. F., Haraldsen, G., Hedlin, D...
- Effects of speeding on satisficing in Mixed-Mode Surveys; 2011; Bathelt, S., Bauknecht, J.
- Using Research-Based Practices to Increase Response Rates of Web-Based Surveys; 2011; Perkins, R. A.
- Using break-offs in web interviews for predicting web response in mixed mode surveys; 2011; Beukenhorst, D.
- Web panels in Slovenia; 2011; Lenar, J.
- Traditional and non-traditional treatments for autism spectrum disorder with seizures: an on-line survey...; 2011; Frye, R. E., Sreenivasula, S., Adams, J. B.
- Understanding the new digital divide—A typology of Internet users in Europe; 2011; Brandtzæg, P.B.; Heim, J.; Karahasanoviæ, A.
- Patients’ attitudes toward side effects of antidepressants: an Internet survey; 2011; Kikuchi, T., Uchida, H., Suzuki, T., Watanabe, K., Kashima, H.
- Web-based or paper-based surveys: a quandary?; 2011; Bennett, L., Sid Nair, C.
- Refining the Total Survey Error Perspective; 2011; Smith, T. W.
- ELIPSS: Étude Longitudinale par Internet Pour les Sciences Sociales; 2011; Legleye, S., Lesnard, L.
- Less questions, more data: Revitalizing the european currency in single source affluent audience measurement...; 2011; Hartman, H.
- Linking website exposure data to survey data: A single-source solution; 2011; Krahn, J., Landi, J., Melton, E.
- Inference in surveys with sequential mixed-mode data collection; 2011; Buelens, B., van der Brakel, J.
- Using a Probability-based Online Panel to Survey American Jews; 2011; Wright, G., Phillips, B. T., Tobias, J., Peugh, J., Semans, K.
- Choice of Content Presentation Mode in Web-Based Survey Administration; 2011; Osborn, L., Mansfield, W., Ramirez, C. M., Lacey, J. N., etc.
- Seasonal Yield Variation and Related Response Patterns in Address-based Mail Samples; 2011; DiSogra, C., Hendarwan, E.
- Gender-specific on-line shopping preferences; 2011; Ulbrich, F., Christensen, T., Stankus, L.
- Mixing modes in the LFS - Computer-assisted, cost effective and respondent friendly; 2011; Koerner, T., van der Valk, J.
- Peanuts and Monkeys: Incentivisation and engagement in online access panels; 2011; Marks, B.
- Establishing Cross-National Equivalence of Measures of Xenophobia: Evidence from Probing in Web Surveys...; 2011; Braun, M., Behr, D., Kaczmirek, L.
- Methodological challenges in the use of the Internet for scientific research: Ten solutions and recommendations...; 2011; Reips, U.-D., Buchanan, T., Krantz, J. H., McGrawn, K.Reips, U.-D.
- Search and email still top the list of most popular online activities; 2011; Purcell, K.
- Using Internet in Stated Preference Surveys: A Review and Comparison of Survey Modes; 2011; Lindhjem, H., Navrud, S.
- On the experience and evidence about mixing modes of data collection in large-scale surveys where the...; 2011; Dex, S., Gumy, J.
- Survey Gamification: Old Wine in New Bottles?; 2011; Baker, R. P.
- The Game Experiments: Researching how gaming techniques can be used to improve the quality of feedback...; 2011; Sleep, D., Puleston, J.
- Statistical Estimation of Word Acquisition With Application to Readability Prediction; 2011; Kidwell, P., Lebanon, G., Collins-Thompson, K.
- What is Probit; 2011
- Voice-of-the-customer marketing: A revolutionary 5-step process to create customers who care, spend,...; 2011; Roman, E.
- User agent; 2011
- Unpublisihed internal Google report on break off rates by device type; 2011; Callegaro, M.
- Toward wiser public judgment; 2011; Yankelovich, D., Friedman, W.
- The impact of cookie deletion on site-server and ad-server metrics in Australia. An empirical comScore...; 2011
- The changing role of address-based sampling in survey research; 2011; Iannacchione, V. G.
- State of mobile measurement; 2011; Gluck, M.
- Some issues in the application of latent class models for questionnaire design; 2011; Biemer, P. P., Berzofsky, M.
- Self-administered mobile surveys; 2011; Bosnjak, M.
- SDSC Announces scalable, high-performance data storage cloud; 2011
- Ratings and audience measurement; 2011; Napoli, P. M.
- Randomized response models in survey sampling. Randomized response models; 2011; Hussain, Z.
- Online survey research: Findings, best practices, and future research. Report prepared for the Advertising...; 2011; Vannette, D.
- Online survey research: Findings, Best practices, and future research; 2011
- New Esomar survey on use of cookies and tracking technologies; 2011
- Mobile, webmail, desktops: Where are we viewing email now?; 2011
- Measuring americans' issue priorities. A new version of the most important problem question reveals...; 2011; Yeager, D. S., Larson, S. B., Krosnick, J. A., Tompson, T.