Clare Madge – Online Questionnaires

Programme of events10:00 – 10:30 Arrival, registration and coffee 10:30 – 11:00 Advantages/disadvantages of online

research - Henrietta 11:00 – 11:30 Online questionnaires- Clare 11.30 - 11.45 Coffee11:45 – 12:45 Hands-on-workshop online

questionnaires – Rob12:45 – 1:45 Lunch2.00 – 2:30 Online Interviews- Henrietta2:30 – 3:30 Hands-on-workshop online interviews

- Rob 3:30 – 4:00 Tea and coffee break4:00 – 4.15 Ethics and online research - Clare4.15- 5.00 Any questions?

Structure

1. When to use an online questionnaire

2. Advantages and disadvantages of online questionnaires

3. Types of online questionnaires

4. Activity- online questionnaire types

5. Sampling issues

1. When to use an online questionnaire?

• Internet offers great methodological potential and versatility;

• Resulted in proliferation in online questionnaires;• But use of online questionnaire must be

appropriate and justified for each particular research project;

• To address the aims of the research, selection of most relevant questionnaire type and question format for addressing the aims, establishing a justified sampling strategy to recruit relevant respondents and ensure an appropriate response rate.

2. Advantages of online questionnaires

• Speed and volume of data collection• Savings in costs• Flexible design• Data accuracy• Access to research populations• Anonymity• Respondent acceptability

2. Disadvantages of online questionnaires

• Sample bias• Measurement error• Non-response bias• Length, response and drop out rates• Technical problems• Ethical issues

3. Types of online questionnaires

• Web-based questionnaire• E-mail questionnaire• Questionnaire attached to an email

4. Activity 1: Different questionnaire types

• Get into pairs• Go to…….• Examine the examples of the three different

online questionnaire types• Note down some advantages and

disadvantages of each type• Decide which questionnaire type is most

appropriate for your research needs

Web-based questionnaire

• Advantages Disadvantages

E-mail questionnaire

• Advantages Disadvantages

Questionnaire attached to an email

• Advantages Disadvantages

For more details on questionnaire types

For a discussion of the relative merits of different questionnaire types:

• From home page, go to modules• Select online questionnaires• Go to questionnaire types• Click on the 3 types to read the advantages

and disadvantages of each type and to see examples

5. Sampling issues

• Recruitment• Sampling• Identity verification• Incentives• Response rates

How to improve response rates

• Send introductory letter outlining project and estimated time needed to complete the questionnaire;

• Include an institutionally sanctioned website to validate researchers' identity;

• Provide clear instructions on how to complete the questionnaire;

• Request personal information at the start of the questionnaire;

• Use simple questionnaire format, avoid unnecessary graphics;

How to improve response rates

• Avoid grid questions, open-ended questions and requests for email addresses;

• Design survey so it takes approximately 10 minutes to complete;

• Do not include more than 15 questions; • Send one or two follow up reminders; • Include 'social presence' or missing data

messages to reduce item non-response; • Emphasise confidentiality.

6. Optional Activity: how to select a sample

• From home page, go to modules• Select online questionnaires• Go to sampling• Go to how to select a sample• Read the sampling procedure and view 3

different contacting procedures• Decide which contacting procedure would be

most appropriate in your research

COFFEE/TEA