Comparison of an Internet Versus Mail Survey

A Case Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15327539
AuthorsLarry M Gigliotti (0000-0002-1693-5113, a South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks , Pierre, South Dakota, USA, corresponding author)
Year2011
Volume16
Issue1
Pages55-62
Publication date2011-01-18
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHuman Dimensions of Wildlife (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1087-1209 • E-ISSN: 1533-158X
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10871209.2011.535241
OpenAlexW1985651784
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited5

The benefits of Internet-based surveys are often exaggerated with claims that Internet surveys are always faster, better, cheaper, and easier for researchers than conventional survey methods. This case study compares two side-by-side surveys of South Dakota resident spring turkey hunters (traditional mail survey vs. by e-mail with link to the Web-based survey: sample size of 1,200 each). With approximate equal effort to contact hunters the Internet survey received a 44% return rate compared to a 75% return rate from the mail survey. Until the issue of sample validity is solved and response rates increased an Internet survey by itself cannot be relied on to collect valid, scientific human dimensions information. However, a mixed-mode survey design that incorporates Internet surveys with traditional survey methods is discussed as a way to solve for sample validity and non-response methodological issues associated with Internet surveys while achieving some of the cost saving benefits of Internet surveys

Business · Environmental health · Geography · Population · Sample (material · Statistics · Survey data collection · Survey methodology · Survey research · Survey sampling · The Internet · Web survey · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods · Mathematics · Medicine · Survey Methodology and Nonresponse · Marketing

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