Web Survey Bibliography
Title Data Collection Mode Effects Controlling for Sample Origins in a Panel Survey: Telephone versus Internet
Author Chatt, C., Dennis, J. M., Li, R. J., Motta-Stanko A., Pulliam, P.
Source Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research (MAPOR), 2003, WAPOR 56th Annual Conference, 2003
Year 2003
Access date 11.05.2004
Full text pdf (80k)
Abstract "Previous research shows that Internet-based data collection can be a viable source of conducting representative sample surveys. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential for Internet survey research by investigating measurement errors that may hinder survey results. A new area of survey research, Internet surveys, is compared to a much-researched area of survey research, telephone surveys. Most research on Internet surveys so far has concentrated on sample design, but the unique sample design used for the study of policy and civic attitudes regarding 9/11 sponsored by RTI International controls for sample design. The survey designed by RTI International and the Odum Institute at the University of North Carolina, was conducted from January to March 2002. The data set consists of three sample groups that completed the same questionnaire: i) an Internet sample of current Knowledge Networks panel members participating by web, ii) a sample of current Knowledge Networks members that participated by telephone, and iii) a nonresponse follow-up sample of individuals refusing to join the Knowledge Networks panel participating by telephone. The second and third samples overlap in terms of mode of data collection (both are telephone), but differ in sample origin – active panel members versus non-panel members or inactive panel members. The first two samples are drawn from current Knowledge Networks panel members, but differ in mode of data collection—Internet survey versus telephone survey.
Differences among sample groups are due to the mode of data collection and not sample origin. All other findings in this research result from the basic differences between Internet surveys and telephone interviews. The differences caused by mode in this Internet versus telephone study were strikingly similar to the telephone versus mail mode effects found in civic attitude studies by Tarnai and Dillman (1992) and in telephone versus face-to-face mode effects by Krysan (1994). Both studies found a tendency for telephone respondents to answer on the extreme positive end of the scale, and this tendency is observed here as well. In addition, the Internet respondents are more likely than both telephone sample groups to use the full range of scales; therefore, non-differentiation is more prevalent in the telephone sample groups.
Differences among sample groups are due to the mode of data collection and not sample origin. All other findings in this research result from the basic differences between Internet surveys and telephone interviews. The differences caused by mode in this Internet versus telephone study were strikingly similar to the telephone versus mail mode effects found in civic attitude studies by Tarnai and Dillman (1992) and in telephone versus face-to-face mode effects by Krysan (1994). Both studies found a tendency for telephone respondents to answer on the extreme positive end of the scale, and this tendency is observed here as well. In addition, the Internet respondents are more likely than both telephone sample groups to use the full range of scales; therefore, non-differentiation is more prevalent in the telephone sample groups.
Access/Direct link Knowledge Networks (full text)
Year of publication2003
Bibliographic typeConferences, workshops, tutorials, presentations
Web Survey Bibliography - WAPOR 56th Annual Conference, 2003 (4)
- An Alternative Method for Poll Survey: Possibility of Using Mobile Phone Survey; 2003; Kang, M., Cho, S.
- The Clash of Traditional and New Media in the 2002 Korean Presidential Election; 2003; Loh, T.
- Data Collection Mode Effects Controlling for Sample Origins in a Panel Survey: Telephone versus Internet...; 2003; Chatt, C., Dennis, J. M., Li, R. J., Motta-Stanko A., Pulliam, P.
- Going Global: Issues in Applying Internet; 2001; Bauman, S., Jobity, N., Wilson, D., Atak, H., Deis, M., Airey, J.