Web Survey Bibliography

Title Design issues in collecting data on ego-centered social networks on the Web
Author Koren, G., Hlebec, V., Vehovar, V., Lozar Manfreda, K.
Source RC33 6th International Conference on Social Science Methodology: Recent Developments and Applications in Social Research Methodology, 2004
Year 2004
Access date 14.09.2004
Abstract Completing a questionnaire on ego-centered social networks is usually a difficult task for respondents due to the questionnaire’s complex structure. Interviewer-assisted data collection modes are therefore used most often for this purpose as we assume that an interviewer would contribute to the data of higher quality. On the other hand, Web surveys with their wide range of sophisticated questionnaire interfaces and time-and-cost effectiveness, can alternatively present an efficient tool for collecting data with complex questionnaires. In our study several experiments on name generators for collecting ego-centric network data were applied within a Web questionnaire. We show that a single name generator for defining personal networks can be effectively applied also within Web surveys. However, a special attention needs to be paid to visual elements of the measurement instrument. Several experiments with varying instructions for name generators and spaces provided for listing alters were performed. In particular, effects of visual characteristics of the measurement instrument and variations in instructions on the size and composition of ego-centric social networks are studied. In addition, special attention to the effect on dropout rate, one of the main concerns regarding non-response in self-administered data collection modes, has been given. For collecting data on alters two different techniques for presenting name interpreters were applied: alter-wise (complete information on name interpreters is obtained for each alter separately and the variable context is changing) and variable-wise (complete information on name interpreters is obtained for each variable and the alter context is changing). Both approaches are evaluated with regard to composition of networks and dropout rate.
Year of publication2004
Bibliographic typeConferences, workshops, tutorials, presentations
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Web Survey Bibliography - Slovenia (109)

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