Web Survey Bibliography
Title Electronic and Mail Self-Administered Questionnaires: A Comparative Assessment of Use Among Elite Populations
Author Sameer, A. Y., Steiger, D. M., Colleen, S.
Source American Statistical Association, Alexandria, pp. 833-841
Year 1998
Access date 22.03.2004
Full text pdf (774k)
Abstract Although the introduction of computer self-administered questionnaires (CSAQ) is a recent development, the possibilities offered by this novel mode of data collection are increasing as researchers develop and refine the link between survey methodology and a rapidly changing computer technology. As an increasing number of individuals, households, and organizations establish connections to the Internet, the World Wide Web (WWW) has become another feasible and efficient electronic alternative (and supplement) to self-administered mail surveys. Relatively little is known, however, about the procedures and problems associated with developing dual mode paper and Web questionnaires, the likelihood of survey populations responding, especially when given the option of responding either by mail or electronically, and how respondents to a Web questionnaire may differ from those responding to the same paper instrument. This paper presents findings from the 1999 National Study of Postsecondary' Faculty (NSOPF.99) field test which assessed the use of comparable electronic and paper questionnaires that were made available to a nationally representative sample of 162 higher education administrators and 500 faculty in those same institutions. (NSOPF:99 is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics with support from the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.) Two separate questionnaires were tested, an Institution Questionnaire for administrators and a Faculty Questionnaire for faculty and instructional staff. Both administrators and faculty had the option of completing either the paper questionnaire or an electronic version of it. Of particular interest is the fact that this dual mode survey was made available to an "elite" population of institutional staff and individuals, the overwhelming majority of whom are likely to be connected to the lnternet through their offices and/or homes and are likely to be more familiar with computer technology and its applications than the general population. The findings will specifically focus on: (1) the problems involved in maintaining comparability between paper and electronic questionnaires in a dual mode survey; (2) the questionnaire choices made by these two groups of respondents; (3) respondent burden; and (4) the characteristics of the two respondent groups.
Year of publication1998
Bibliographic typeJournal article
