WEB SURVEY TECHNOLOGY

Patty NordstromProject Manager

Survey “Research CenterThe Pennsylvania State University

TYPES OF WEB SURVEYS

• Open– Anyone can answer access the survey and

answer the questions

• Closed– Unique IDs are assigned to individuals

Design of Web Surveys

Principles of Design for Web Questionnaires (Dolman, Tortora, Bowker)

• Welcome screen• First question should be easy to answer,

but interesting• Conventional format similar to paper• Limit line length• Provide instructions for computer

actions

Principles of Design for Web Questionnaires (Dillman, Tortora, Bowker)

• Instructions with individual questions, not at the beginning

• Do not force answers unless necessary• Scrolling• Progress bar

Principles of Design for Web Questionnaires Dillman, Tortora(, Bowker)

• Screen by screen– Only one question per page, respondent must

answer the questions before they can continue

• Scrolling – Respondent can see, if not the entire questionnaire,

more than one question.

Principles of Design for Web Questionnaires Dillman, Tortora(, Bowker)

• Simple is better• Design should fit the purpose

Data Collection

• Data is collected in a table• Provide the data in various formats

– Database (.mdb)– SPSS (.sav)– Tab separated (.tsv, .txt)– Comma separated (.csv)– Excel (.xls)

Technical Consideration

Components for Web Survey

• Technical Expertise (programmers, network administrators)

• Software (commercial or custom)• Hardware

Software

• Commercial survey software• Code by hand

Custom ProgrammingAdvantages

• Can be customized• No limited to survey features• Complete control

Custom ProgrammingDisadvantages

• Takes longer to build/more expensive• Requires expertise in web programming

(html, javascript, php, MySQL Cold Fusion)

• Big learning curve

Commercial SoftwareAdvantages

• Inexpensive• Experience and expertise, so no need

for in house expertise• Provide necessary hosting hardware

(servers)• Easy to use

Commercial Software Disadvantages

• Hidden costs• Variability in the degree of expertise of

consultants• Limited flexibility in questionnaires by

templates

Commercial Software

• Zoomerang™• Survey Solutions• SuperSurvey• Greenfield Online• Infopoll• Perseus• PollCat• Inquisite• Cool Surveys• Survey System• Apian Software• Hosted Survey• SurveyView• StatPac

Example of Web survey software

(Peresus)

Open blank questionnaire

Welcome Screen

Informed Consent

Add Survey Questions

Survey is uploaded to sever

Data is collected in a table

Data is downloaded for analysis