Internet Versus Mailed Questionnaires: A Controlled Comparison (2) (original) (raw)
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Internet Versus Mailed Questionnaires: A Randomized Comparison (2)
Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2004
Background Low response rates among surgeons can threaten the validity of surveys. Internet technologies may reduce the time, effort, and financial resources needed to conduct surveys. Objective We investigated whether using Web-based technology could increase the response rates to an international survey. Methods We solicited opinions from the 442 surgeon-members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association regarding the treatment of femoral neck fractures. We developed a self-administered questionnaire after conducting a literature review, focus groups, and key informant interviews, for which we used sampling to redundancy techniques. We administered an Internet version of the questionnaire on a Web site, as well as a paper version, which looked similar to the Internet version and which had identical content. Only those in our sample could access the Web site. We alternately assigned the participants to receive the survey by mail (n=221) or an email invitation to participate on the Internet 12/22/11 Internet Versus Mailed Questionnaires: A Randomized Comparison (2) 2/15 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1550617/?report=printable (n=221). Non-respondents in the mail arm received up to three additional copies of the survey, while non-respondents in the Internet arm received up to three additional requests, including a final mailed copy. All participants in the Internet arm had an opportunity to request an emailed Portable Document Format (PDF) version. Results The Internet arm demonstrated a lower response rate (99/221, 45%) than the mail questionnaire arm (129/221, 58%) (absolute difference 13%, 95% confidence interval 4%-22%, P<0.01). Conclusions Our Internet-based survey to surgeons resulted in a significantly lower response rate than a traditional mailed survey. Researchers should not assume that the widespread availability and potential ease of Internet-based surveys will translate into higher response rates.
Survey Says? A Primer on Web-Based Survey Design and Distribution
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2011
The internet has changed the way in which we gather and interpret information. While books were once the exclusive bearers of data, knowledge is now only a keystroke away. The internet has also facilitated the synthesis of new knowledge. Specifically, it has become a tool through which medical research is conducted. A review of the literature reveals that in the past year, over onehundred medical publications have been based on web-based survey data alone.
PLOS ONE
Background Several influential aspects of survey research have been under-investigated and there is a lack of guidance on reporting survey studies, especially web-based projects. In this review, we aim to investigate the reporting practices and quality of both web-and non-web-based survey studies to enhance the quality of reporting medical evidence that is derived from survey studies and to maximize the efficiency of its consumption. Methods Reporting practices and quality of 100 random web-and 100 random non-web-based articles published from 2004 to 2016 were assessed using the SUrvey Reporting GuidelinE (SURGE). The CHERRIES guideline was also used to assess the reporting quality of Webbased studies. Results Our results revealed a potential gap in the reporting of many necessary checklist items in both web-based and non-web-based survey studies including development, description and testing of the questionnaire, the advertisement and administration of the questionnaire, sample representativeness and response rates, incentives, informed consent, and methods of statistical analysis.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet Research Surveys: Evidence from the Literature
and Web surveys have been the subject of much hyperbole about their capabilities as well as some criticism about their limitations. In this report we examine what is and is not known about the use of the Internet for surveying. Specifically, we consider evidence found in the literature regarding response rates, timeliness, data quality and cost. In light of this evidence, we evaluate popular claims that Internet-based surveys can be conducted faster, better, cheaper, and/or easier than surveys conducted via conventional modes. We find that the reality of cost and speed often does not live up to the hype. Nonetheless, it is possible to implement Internet-based surveys in ways that are effective and cost-efficient. We conclude that the Internet will continue to grow in importance for conducting certain types of research surveys.
BRIDGING THE RESEARCHER-RESPONDENT DIVIDE: ROLE OF INTERNET-BASED SURVEY
Man by nature is inherently curious; seeking answers to questions, solutions to difficulties and constantly seeking ways to bridge the gap between the known and the unknown. Indeed, man does not believe in happenstance, after all, there should be answers to the various phenomenon encountered on daily basis. This has made man relentlessly engage in the quest and request for knowledge. This expedition and its recurrence is known as research; seeking what has previously been sought. However, in this course of this pursuit, various methodologies have been adopted to make the journey worthwhile and systematic; notably among which is the survey method that emphasizes the use of standardized questionnaires or interviews to collect data about people, their preferences, thoughts, and behaviors in a systematic manner. The objective of this paper is not to only explore survey method but to also appraise the use of web or internet to engage in survey with the objective of making research easy. The paper reviews online or web survey as a recent questionnaire survey which is administered over the internet using several platforms and is targeted at collecting data from a large number of people who are germane to the research. Thus, the paper reviews the meaning, characteristics, uses, advantages and challenges faced with, in the course of adopting internet-based survey as a methodology to facilitate research and break the barrier between the researcher and the respondent. Cite This Article As: AKINYETUN TS (2016). BRIDGING THE RESEARCHER-RESPONDENT DIVIDE: ROLE OF INTERNET-BASED SURVEY. Inter. J. Acad. Res. Educ. Rev. 4(4): 116-126
Exploring physician specialist response rates to web-based surveys
BMC medical research methodology, 2015
Survey research in healthcare is an important tool to collect information about healthcare delivery, service use and overall issues relating to quality of care. Unfortunately, physicians are often a group with low survey response rates and little research has looked at response rates among physician specialists. For these reasons, the purpose of this project was to explore survey response rates among physician specialists in a large metropolitan Canadian city. As part of a larger project to look at physician payment plans, an online survey about medical billing practices was distributed to 904 physicians from various medical specialties. The primary method for physicians to complete the survey was via the Internet using a well-known and established survey company ( www.surveymonkey.com ). Multiple methods were used to encourage survey response such as individual personalized email invitations, multiple reminders, and a draw for three gift certificate prizes were used to increase res...