Applying Web-Based Survey Design Standards

Abstract Web-based surveys are used as research tools in a wide range of disciplines. Web-based surveys present a unique set of challenges concerning survey design, not known in previous survey modes. The flexibility of screen design allows for Web-based surveys to take on many appearances, some having a negative impact on data quality. In this article, we propose and illustrate several Web-based survey design standards developed by researchers based on several projects involving Web-based surveys. These standards have been developed from theory and practice and should provide practical advice for researchers and a platform for future research in Web-based survey design.

[1]  M. Traugott,et al.  Web survey design and administration. , 2001, Public opinion quarterly.

[2]  R. Groves,et al.  Telephone Survey Methodology. , 1990 .

[3]  Sue Ellen Hansen,et al.  27 Computer-Assisted Interviewing , 2001 .

[4]  L. Johnston,et al.  Monitoring the Future National Survey Results on Drug Use, 1975-2001. Volume 1: Secondary School Students, 2001. , 2002 .

[5]  Smith Ma.  It's what's up-front that counts! , 1989 .

[6]  Timothy P. Johnson,et al.  Examining Prevalence Differences in Three National Surveys of Youth: Impact of Consent Procedures, Mode, and Editing Rules , 2001 .

[7]  Seymour Sudman,et al.  Examining Substance Abuse Data Collection Methodologies , 2001 .

[8]  P CouperMick,et al.  What they see is what we get , 2004 .

[9]  Sean Esteban McCabe,et al.  Pilot study of abuse of asthma inhalers by middle and high school students. , 2004, The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine.

[10]  Sean Esteban McCabe,et al.  The Use, Misuse and Diversion of Prescription Stimulants Among Middle and High School Students , 2004, Substance use & misuse.

[11]  Michael W. Link.  Telephone Survey Methodology , 2006 .

[12]  Patrick M. O'Malley,et al.  Monitoring the Future: National Survey Results on Drug Use, 1975-2006. Volume II: College Students & Adults Ages 19-25. NIH Publication No. 07-6206. , 2007 .

[13]  Jan Panero Benway,et al.  Banner Blindness: The Irony of Attention Grabbing on the World Wide Web , 1998 .

[14]  James J. Bason.  COMPARISON OF TELEPHONE, MAIL, WEB, AND IVR SURVEYS OF DRUG AND A L C O H O L USE AMONG UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA STUDENTS , 2002 .

[15]  Jakob Nielsen,et al.  Designing web usability , 1999 .

[16]  P. Chisnall.  Mail and Internet Surveys: The Tailored Design Method , 2007, Journal of Advertising Research.

[17]  S. M. Rogers,et al.  Adolescent sexual behavior, drug use, and violence: increased reporting with computer survey technology. , 1998, Science.

[18]  M. Couper,et al.  Web Surveys , 2001 .

[19]  Jane Metrik,et al.  Test-retest reliability of alcohol measures: is there a difference between internet-based assessment and traditional methods? , 2002, Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors.

[20]  Robert M. Groves,et al.  Survey Errors and Survey Costs: Groves/Survey Errors , 2005 .

[21]  W. Aquilino.  INTERVIEW MODE EFFECTS IN SURVEYS OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE: A FIELD EXPERIMENT , 1994 .

[22]  R M Weiler,et al.  The Feasibility of a Web-Based Surveillance System to Collect Health Risk Behavior Data from College Students , 2001, Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education.

[23]  Mick P Couper,et al.  Mode effects for collecting alcohol and other drug use data: Web and U.S. mail. , 2002, Journal of studies on alcohol.

[24]  M. Couper.  A REVIEW OF ISSUES AND APPROACHES , 2000 .

[25]  W. Aquilino,et al.  A Comparison of Computer-Assisted and Paper-and-Pencil Self-Administered Questionnaires in a Survey on Smoking, Alcohol, and Drug Use , 1998 .

[26]  Reginald P. Baker,et al.  Development and Testing of Web Questionnaires , 2004 .

[27]  Eric R. Ziegel,et al.  Survey Errors and Survey Costs , 1990 .