This journal issue contains two interesting papers on web survey methodology that reach different conclusions about the potential use of web surveys, in particular which of two modes achieves the higher response rate. High response rates are commonly seen as an indicator for the validity of surveys. Leece et al. [1] used systematic sampling to assign half of a list of orthopedic surgeons to a web survey and the other half to a mail survey. They concluded that the web survey had a significantly lower response rate than the mail survey, and warn “Researchers should not assume that the widespread availability and potential ease of Internet-based surveys will translate into higher response rates”. In contrast, Ritter et al [2] recruited participants from the Internet and randomly assigned them to a mail or a web survey and came to a different verdict. They compared the responses on 16 health related questions/instruments and find that none of 16 instruments were significantly different among the two study arms. Ritter et al. [2] found that among those assigned to the web survey participation was at least as good if not better than participation among those assigned mailed questionnaires