National statistical agencies that require businesses to provide various details about their activities face many challenges in the data collection process. The statistical agency works within the demanding parameters of minimising response burden to the business whilst maintaining acceptable levels of data quality, timeliness and curtailing survey costs. Thus statistical agencies are perpetually investigating new means to improve their data collection processes. The World Wide Web, as a result of ever-growing internet connectivity within businesses, now presents a new mode for data collection and one that appears to be advantageous to them.

Whilst Web reporting may be beneficial to the statistical agencies, it is necessary to ask how respondents view this new option. What expectations would they have of the Web as a mode of response, what design and functionality features would make it worthwhile, how would it fit into their current response process and finally would the respondent, given the choice to complete a Web questionnaire, over a paper or telephone version, chose the Web option?

Currently, Web data collection is not available for any UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) surveys. Therefore explorative research was undertaken with current respondents of two mandatory business surveys during 2004. Specifically, thirty face-to-face interviews were conducted, focusing upon the respondent’s experience of the mandatory survey(s), their use of the internet, and importantly, design and functionality features of Web questionnaires. The interviews included the use of visual prompts – a paper version of a mandatory survey and a Web version of a section of the questionnaire.

The data gathered demonstrates that, on the whole, respondents are receptive to the idea of returning their data via the Web. Some concerns around security and workflow issues were raised. Expectations of the Web questionnaire varied owing to a number of factors ranging from computer competency levels to perception of the task. In general, ease of use was the most commonly cited expectation. Specifically, many respondents requested not just the ability to print/save completed forms but the ability to print blank forms in order to complete a ‘rough draft’ of the form in pencil before final submission online. This is consistent with current practices.

This paper will outline the views of the respondents and discuss the implications for statistical agencies wishing to make use of this mode.