Course on Web Surveys - GESIS Summer School 2013
Feb 01 2013
Date: August 26-30, 2013
Time: 14:00-18:00
The course deals with the challenge of using the World Wide Web for survey data collection. Although Web surveys are sometimes perceived as a questionable survey mode, the experiences over the 15 years of their usage show that they can be used in a valid and reliable way for many research purposes. They offer not only fast and cost-effective survey data collection, but also a wide range of possibilities for designing advanced dynamic questionnaires, reaching diverse populations and ensuring high quality of collected data. While Web surveys are technically easy to implement, the understanding of underlying methodological principles is crucial for successful application in practice. The instructors will provide students with the basic principles of implementing Web surveys in order to collect high-quality survey data.
In the introduction the students will obtain knowledge necesseary to make informed decisions on choosing a web survey among alternative survey modes for specific research purposes. They will be presented with the history of computer-assisted survey data collection and its varieties, the typology of Web surveys as one of the recently developed computer-assisted modes, and the advantages and disadvantages of Web surveys in the context of their usage. In addition, cost and organizational aspects of implementing web surveys will be evaluated.
Then, principles of implementing Web surveys will be presented through the steps of the Internet survey process. This will begin with an overview of all error sources that can compromise the quality of data in web surveys: coverage and sampling, nonresponse, measurement and data processing. The main part of the course will focus on procedures for minimizing such errors and ensuring adequate data quality. Special attention will be given to presentation of appropriate sampling techniques, principles of web questionnaire design and strategies for stimulating participation of respondents. The presented material will be illustrated with empirical results from experiments and practical experience.
Students will also be introduced to a variety of survey packages for implementing Web surveys and will have the opportunity to conduct their own survey project using one of these packages. The course will conclude by addressing ethical issues in conducting surveys on the Web.
For more information visit Course Homepage.
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