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Web Survey Bibliography

Title Methodological issues in Web data collection of ego-centered networks
Year 2003
Access date 07.05.2004
Abstract Interviewer assisted survey is a typical way of collecting data for ego-centered social networks owing to their complex data structure. However, as Web data collection can substantially reduce the costs and time required for such data collection, its applicability to populations familiar with Internet tools is of our interest.
An experiment with two name generator wording forms was implemented in the annual RIS (Research on Internet in Slovenia) Web survey conducted by the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana in summer 2001. Respondents were randomly split into four groups. Each group received a name generator for one type of social support: material, informational, emotional support or social companionship, and a set of questions regarding alters for each alter they named in the network generator. Dropouts from the questionnaire were studied with respect to the two name generator forms and characteristics of respondents. Results shows that Web can be used as a data collection method for ego-centered social networks. However, the graphic layouts of name generators as well as the wording of instructions are substantial in ensuring item response rate and quality of collected data.
Furthermore, possible mode effects due to Web data collection are discussed:
- interviewer supported vs. self-administered,
- experimental instructions for name generators and its effects on the number of alters listed as well as on the dropout rate on name interpreters,
- composition of networks evaluated via the Web as opposed to composition of the networks evaluated via telephone and face-to face surveys of Slovenian general population.
Access/Direct link Homepage - conference (abstract)
Year of publication2003
Bibliographic typeConferences, workshops, tutorials, presentations
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