Before the internet, almost all research surveys were done hardcopy (i.e. paper copy). Now more and more research surveys are being done online. Do you think an online survey is reliable? Why or why not? Are there situations where a hardcopy (paper) survey might be desired?
Dear Professor,
I think online survey is preferable in some cases - where as hard copies are better for some other cases depending upon the nature of the enquiry, nature of sample population, and nature of privacy required / involved.
To illustrate the first point - if the enquiry is related to online behaviour, then online survey perhaps is the better way. However, if the answers relates to offline matters, then also online survey may also be useful in many cases.
The nature of sample population is an important consideration - how far the nature of sample population ensures a successful online survey? In Bangladesh or India, not all target population can be reached through online survey. It can create bias.
On many issues, people feel comfortable to open up through online communication. Trust and privacy related issues are also there. However, paradoxically on some matters, people may not be agreeable to open up online. There, we may have to resort to paper survey.
Thanks for that answer, Charvak! You make some great points and I appreciate your input very much!
I agree with the above poster, in that internet based approaches are best for internet related research. But the important point is the response rate. Unfortunately, due to factors such as over-use (especially by marketing companies) and a lack of precision in reaching target populations, the results of most online surveys are rendered useless by only a small percentage of your population bothering to make returns, with an unknowable margin of error. For example, in a average week, I might receive two or three requests to complete an online survey, and needless to say, I have the time to complete very few of them. So you risk end up with data only from people who have a lot of free time on their hands.
I wish I could express this in more scientific terms!
Thanks for your input, David. I often wondered if an online survey would get a slightly different population than a paper survey for the reasons you mention. The respondent would have to have some free time an be willing to voluntarily complete the survey without any benefit or reward. Thanks again for your thoughts!
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