Open-Ended Questions in Web Surveys : Can Increasing the Size of Answer Boxes and Providing Extra Verbal Instructions Improve Response Quality?
Previous research has revealed techniques to improve response quality in open-ended questions in both paper and interviewer-administered survey modes. The purpose of this paper is to test the effectiveness of similar techniques in web surveys. Using data from a series of three random sample web surveys of Washington State University undergraduates, we examine the effects of visual and verbal answer-box manipulations (i.e., altering the size of the answer box and including an explanation that answers could exceed the size of the box) and the inclusion of clarifying and motivating introductions in the question stem. We gauge response quality by the amount and type of information contained in responses as well as response time and item nonresponse. The results indicate that increasing the size of the answer box has little effect on early responders to the survey but substantially improved response quality among late responders. Including any sort of explanation or introduction that made response quality and length salient also improved response quality for both early and late responders. In addition to discussing these techniques, we also address the potential of the web survey mode to revitalize the use of open-ended questions in self-administered surveys
Year of publication: |
2014
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Authors: | Smyth, Jolene D. |
Other Persons: | Dillman, Don (contributor) ; Christian, Leah Melani (contributor) ; Mcbride, Mallory (contributor) |
Publisher: |
[2014]: [S.l.] : SSRN |
Description of contents: | Abstract [papers.ssrn.com] |
Saved in:
Extent: | 1 Online-Ressource |
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Type of publication: | Book / Working Paper |
Language: | English |
Notes: | In: Public Opinion Quarterly, Vol. 73, Issue 2, pp. 325-337, 2009 Nach Informationen von SSRN wurde die ursprüngliche Fassung des Dokuments Summer 2009 erstellt Volltext nicht verfügbar |
Source: | ECONIS - Online Catalogue of the ZBW |
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013070863
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