Web Survey Bibliography
Title Web-Based Behavioral Surveillance Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Comparison of Online and Offline Samples in London, UK
Author Elford, J., Bolding, G., Davis, M., Sherr, L., Hart, G.
Source Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 35, 4, pp. 421-426
Year 2004
Access date 19.10.2004
Abstract Objective: To compare the characteristics of men who have sex with men (MSM) surveyed online (through gay Internet chat rooms and profiles) and offline (in community venues) in London, UK.
Methods: In February and March 2002, 879 MSM completed a self-administered pen-and-paper questionnaire distributed in central London gyms (offline sample). In May and June 2002, 1218 London MSM completed a self-administered questionnaire online, accessed through Internet chat rooms and profiles on gaydar and gay.com.
Results: Compared with men surveyed offline, those surveyed online were significantly less likely to only have sex with men (89 vs. 94%), to be in a relationship with a man (44 vs. 52%), or to have been tested for HIV (68 vs. 80%) (P < 0.001). Men recruited online were also younger (mean age, 34 vs. 36 years) and less likely to have had a higher education (67 vs. 79%) (P < 0.001). However, differences between online and offline samples were less pronounced for HIV-positive men and more pronounced for HIV-negative men and those who had never been tested for HIV. Regardless of HIV status, men recruited online were more likely to report high-risk sexual behavior (i.e., unprotected anal intercourse with a partner of unknown or discordant HIV status) than men surveyed offline (32 vs. 22%, P < 0.001). Men recruited online were also significantly more likely to have used the Internet to look for sex (85 vs. 45%, P < 0.001); for HIV-positive and negative men, seeking sex on the Internet was associated with high-risk sexual behavior (P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, after controlling for confounding factors, being surveyed online was independently associated with high-risk sexual behavior for HIV-negative and never-tested men (HIV-negative men, adjusted odds ratio for online vs. offline samples, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.23, 2.42; P < 0.01; never-tested men adjusted odds ratio 2.45; 95% CI, 1.40, 4.29; P < 0.01). This was not the case for HIV-positive men (adjusted odds ratio for online vs. offline samples, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.69, 2.50; P = 0.4).
Conclusion: The Internet offers valuable opportunities for conducting behavioral surveillance among MSM because it reaches some men who may not be easily accessed in the community yet who are at high risk for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. Comparisons of the social, demographic, and behavioral characteristics of online and offline samples must, however, take into account the confounding effects of HIV status and seeking sex on the Internet.
Access/Direct link Homepage - journal (full text)
Year of publication2004
Bibliographic typeJournal article
Web Survey Bibliography - United Kingdom (337)
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- Mobile Phone Interviewing - Why being engaged is a good thing!; 2009; Johnson, A. J., Martin, P.
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- Personal data of 600,000 on lost laptop; 2008; Evans, M.
- Internet surveys and national election studies: A Symposium; 2008; Clarke, H. D., Sanders, D., Stewart, M. C., Whiteley, P.
- Designing online election surveys: Lessons from the 2004 Australian election; 2008; Gibson, R., McAllister, I.
- Mixed Modes and Measurement Error: Study design and literature review; 2008; Hope, S., Nicolaas, G.
- 26 questions to help research buyers of online samples; 2008
- Forms that Work - Designing Web Forms for Usability; 2008; Jarrett, C., Gaffney, G.
- Understanding Society. Some preliminary results from the Wave 1 Innovation Panel ; 2008; Burton, J., Laurie, H., Uhrig, S.C. N.
- ‘Looking at’, ‘Looking up’ or ‘Keeping up with’ People? Motives...; 2008; Joinson, A. N.
- Characteristics of Gay and Bisexual Men Who Drop Out of a Web Survey of Sexual Behaviour in the UK; 2008; Evans, A. R., Wiggins, D., Bolding, G., Elford, J.
- Does interactivity hold the key to respondent engagement?; 2008; Sleep, D., Puleston, J.
- Respondent Incentives in a Multi-Mode Panel Survey: Cumulative Effects on Non-Response and Bias; 2008; Jäckle, A., Lynn, P.
- CAQDAS, Secondary Analysis and the Coding of Survey Data; 2008; Fielding, N.
- Internet dating: a British survey; 2008; Gunter, B.
- Online vs. face-to-face discussion in a web-based research methods course for postgraduate nursing students...; 2008; Campbell, M., Gibson, W., Hall, A., Richards, D., Callery, P.
- Research Instruments: Driving e-Science? ; 2008; Schroeder, R.
- Use of the Internet as a data collection tool: a methodological investigation of online synchronous...; 2008; Evans, A. R., Elford, J., Wiggins, D.
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- Using the ESRC Question Bank: An Online Resource Developed for the Social Survey Research Community; 2008; Gibbs, J. C.
- A Comparison of Item Nonresponse in Web and Pen-and-Paper Surveys of Sexual Behaviour; 2008; Evans, A. R., Elford, J., Bolding, G., Wiggins, D.
- Face-to-face versus web surveying in a high Internet coverage population: differences in response quality...; 2008; Heerwegh, D., Loosveldt, G.
- Open-ended questions and online surveys: the mode effect in relation to length; 2008; Denscombe, M.
- Health behaviours in people who respond to a web-based survey advertised on regional news media; 2008; Adams, J., White, M.
- Mixed mode: the only 'fitness' regime?; 2008; Blyth, B.
- Measuring self-disclosure online: Blurring and non-response to sensitive items in web-based surveys; 2008; Joinson, A. N., Paine, C., Buchanan, T., Reips, U. -D.
- XSight and the shaping of Marketing Analytics; 2007; Birks, D. F.
- Whither statistical metadata?; 2007; Westlake, A.
- What's the time? Relations between interview periods and output periods in surveys; 2007; Lound, C. et al.