Response Effects in the Electronic Survey

Bibliographic Data

ID7362841
AuthorsSara Kiesler, Lee Sproull, Lee S Sproull
Year1986
Volume50
Issue3
Pages402-402
Publication date1986-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Opinion Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-362X • E-ISSN: 1537-5331
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1086/268992
OpenAlexW2060312376
LanguageEN
Citations received89
References cited4

This report examines the electronic survey as a research tool. In an electronic survey, respondents use a text processing program to self-administer a computer-based questionnaire. As more people have access to computers, electronic surveys may become widespread. The electronic survey can reduce processing costs because it automates the transformation of raw data into computer-readable form. It can combine advantages of interviews (e.g., prompts, complex branching) with those of paper mail surveys (e.g., standardization, anonymity). An important issue is how the electronic survey affects the responses of people who use it. We conducted an experimental sample survey on health attitudes, behaviors, and personal traits using two forms of administration: electronic and paper mail. Closed-end responses in the electronic survey were less socially desirable and tended to be more extreme than were responses in the paper survey. Open-ended responses that could be edited by respondents were relatively long and disclosing. These findings are consistent with other research on computer-mediated communication, raising general issues about using computers to collect self-report data

Anonymity · Computer security · Internet privacy · Raw data · Sample (material · Standardization · Statistics · Survey data collection · Survey instrument · Survey methodology · Survey research · Applied Psychology · Computer Science · Medicine · Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Survey Methodology and Nonresponse · Technology Adoption and User Behaviour

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