Vera Toepoel’s practical, how-to guide to doing surveys online takes you through the entire process of using surveys, from systematically recruiting respondents, to designing the internet survey, to processing the survey data and writing it up. This book helps students and researchers in identifying possible strategies to make the best use of online surveys, providing pro’s and con’s, and do’s and don’ts for each strategy. It also explores the latest opportunities and developments that have arisen in the field of online surveys, including using social networks, and provides expert guidance and examples of best practice throughout. Suitable for those starting a research project or conducting a survey in a professional capacity, this book is the ideal go-to reference for anyone using internet surveys, be it a beginner or a more experienced survey researcher.

Comparative Survey Research

INTRODUCTORY CASE: Sequential mixed-mode design

Beebe et al. (2007) investigated response rates, response times and non-response bias between two different mixed-mode combinations. Mail and Web surveys were conducted among 500 physicians; randomization decided if the physicians first received a mailed survey evaluating the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) followed by a Web survey for non-respondents, or the other way around (Web followed by mail).

The first condition (mail and Web) showed higher response rates (70.5 per cent) than the second condition (Web and mail, 62.9 per cent). Response time was faster in the second condition.

The authors concluded that the first condition was preferable to the second condition because of higher response rates and a more representative sample. However, they also stated that time ...

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