Web Survey Bibliography
Title Data Quality in On-line Surveys
Author Stangl, A.
Year 2005
Access date 22.04.2005
Abstract The study is based on a panel of independent economic experts from over 90 countries who were surveyed quarterly in 2002 and 2003 in the context of the World Economic Survey (WES). The results of the longitudinal analysis demonstrate that response rates to Internet-based questionnaires, given the choice of survey mode, are approaching the response rates to traditional paper-and-pencil techniques and Internet based questionnaires can be regarded as almost equally popular among a panel of economic professionals. Furthermore, on-line participants tend to be more strongly committed to the survey. The reason is seen in the stronger and more frequent e-mail communication between on-line participants and the surveyor that helps to foster social bonds and respondents' commitment.Particular attention is drawn to the precision / reliability of the Internet-based questionnaire as a data collection method. The frequency of error scores / inconsistent responses is in Internet questionnaires significantly higher than in questionnaires received with the traditional paper-and-pencil technique. An interesting finding is that in the on-line mode the occurrence of inconsistent answers coincides with a lower item non-response. This combination provides reasons for concern that in the case of on-line surveys a low item non-response is not a quality criterion, but may derive from the tendency of on-line participants to be less thorough in answering to the questions.
Access/Direct link Homepage - conference (abstract)
Year of publication2005
Bibliographic typeConferences, workshops, tutorials, presentations
