Handbook of Web Surveys

Jelke Bethlehem, PhD, is Senior Advisor in the Department of Statistical Methods at Statistics Netherlands and Professor of Statistical Information Processing at the University of Amsterdam. His current research interests include web surveys, computer-assisted survey information collection, graphical techniques in statistics, and user-friendly software for statistical analysis. He is coeditor of Computer Assisted Survey Information Collection, author of Applied Survey Methods: A Statistical Perspective, and coauthor of Handbook of Nonresponse in Household Surveys, all published by Wiley. Silvia Biffignandi is Professor of Economic and Business Statistics and Director of the Centre for Statistical Analyses and Survey Interviewing (CASI) at the University of Bergamo (Italy). She currently focuses her research in the areas of web surveys, online panels, and official statistics.

• PREFACE xi 1 THE ROAD TO WEB SURVEYS 11.1 Introduction, 11.2 Theory, 21.2.1 The Everlasting Demand for Statistical Information, 21.2.2 The Dawn of Sampling Theory, 41.2.3 Traditional Data Collection, 81.2.4 The Era of Computer-Assisted Interviewing, 101.2.5 The Conquest of the Web, 121.3 Application, 211.4 Summary, 312 ABOUT WEB SURVEYS 372.1 Introduction, 372.2 Theory, 402.2.1 Typical Survey Situations, 402.2.2 Why On-Line Data Collection?, 452.2.3 Areas of Application, 482.2.4 Trends in Web Surveys, 502.3 Application, 522.4 Summary, 553 SAMPLING FOR WEB SURVEYS 593.1 Introduction, 593.2 Theory, 603.2.1 Target Population, 603.2.2 Sampling Frames, 633.2.3 Basic Concepts of Sampling, 683.2.4 Simple Random Sampling, 713.2.5 Determining the Sample Size, 743.2.6 Some Other Sampling Designs, 763.2.7 Estimation Procedures, 823.3 Application, 873.4 Summary, 924 ERRORS IN WEB SURVEYS 974.1 Introduction, 974.2 Theory, 1034.2.1 Measurement Errors, 1034.2.2 Nonresponse, 1244.3 Application, 1334.3.1 The Safety Monitor, 1334.3.2 Measurement Errors, 1344.3.3 Nonresponse, 1364.4 Summary, 1385 WEB SURVEYS AND OTHER MODES OF DATA COLLECTION 1475.1 Introduction, 1475.1.1 Modes of Data Collection, 1475.1.2 The Choice of the Modes of Data Collection, 1495.2 Theory, 1525.2.1 Face-To-Face Surveys, 1525.2.2 Telephone surveys, 1585.2.3 Mail Surveys, 1645.2.4 Web surveys, 1695.3 Application, 1745.4 Summary, 1826 DESIGNING A WEB SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE 1896.1 Introduction, 1896.2 Theory, 1916.2.1 The Road Map Toward a Web Questionnaire, 1916.2.2 The Language of Questions, 1976.2.3 Answers Types (Response Format), 2006.2.4 Basic Concepts of Visualization, 2116.2.5 Web Questionnaires and Paradata, 2176.2.6 Trends in Web Questionnaire Design and Visualization, 2236.3 Application, 2266.4 Summary, 2287 MIXED-MODE SURVEYS 2357.1 Introduction, 2357.2 Theory, 2387.2.1 What is Mixed Mode?, 2387.2.2 Why Mixed Mode?, 2437.2.3 Methodological Issues, 2487.2.4 Mixed Mode for Business Surveys, 2627.2.5 Mixed Mode for Surveys Among Households and Individuals, 2677.3 Application, 2727.4 Summary, 2748 THE PROBLEM OF UNDERCOVERAGE 2818.1 Introduction, 2818.2 Theory, 2878.2.1 The Internet Population, 2878.2.2 A Random Sample From the Internet Population, 2888.2.3 Reducing the Noncoverage Bias, 2908.2.4 Mixed-Mode Data Collection, 2948.3 Application, 2958.4 Summary, 2999 THE PROBLEM OF SELF-SELECTION 3039.1 Introduction, 3039.2 Theory, 3069.2.1 Basic Sampling Theory, 3069.2.2 A Self-Selection Sample fromthe Internet Population, 3099.2.3 Reducing the Self-Selection Bias, 3149.3 Application, 3199.4 Summary, 32310 WEIGHTING ADJUSTMENT TECHNIQUES 32910.1 Introduction, 32910.2 Theory, 33410.2.1 The Concept of Representativity, 33410.2.2 Poststratification, 33610.2.3 Generalized Regression Estimation, 34910.2.4 Raking Ratio Estimation, 35810.2.5 Calibration Estimation, 36110.2.6 Constraining the Values of Weights, 36210.2.7 Correction Using a Reference Survey, 36310.3 Application, 37210.4 Summary, 37811 USE OF RESPONSE PROPENSITIES 38511.1 Introduction, 38511.2 Theory, 38911.2.1 A Simple Random Sample with Nonresponse, 38911.2.2 A Self-Selection Sample, 39211.2.3 The Response Propensity Definition, 39311.2.4 Models for Response Propensities, 39411.2.5 Correction Methods Based on Response Propensities, 40111.3 Application, 40611.3.1 Generation of the Population, 40711.3.2 Generation of Response Probabilities, 40811.3.3 Generation of the Sample, 40811.3.4 Computation of Response Propensities, 40811.3.5 Matching Response Propensities, 40911.3.6 Estimation of Population Characteristics, 41111.3.7 Evaluating the Results, 41211.3.8 Model Sensitivity, 41211.4 Summary, 41312 WEB PANELS 41912.1 Introduction, 41912.2 Theory, 42212.2.1 Web Panel Definition and Recruitment, 42212.2.2 Use of Web Panels, 42612.2.3 Web Panel Management, 42712.2.4 Response Rates, 43212.2.5 Representativity, 44312.3 Application, 44912.4 Summary, 451Key Terms, 452Exercises, 452References, 454INDEX 459