Web-based questionnaires: the future in epidemiology?
- PMID:20880962
- DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwq291
Web-based questionnaires: the future in epidemiology?
Abstract
The traditional epidemiologic modes of data collection, including paper-and-pencil questionnaires and interviews, have several limitations, such as decreasing response rates over the last decades and high costs in large study populations. The use of Web-based questionnaires may be an attractive alternative but is still scarce in epidemiologic research because of major concerns about selective nonresponse and reliability of the data obtained. The authors discuss advantages and disadvantages of Web-based questionnaires and current developments in this area. In addition, they focus on some practical issues and safety concerns involved in the application of Web-based questionnaires in epidemiologic research. They conclude that many problems related to the use of Web-based questionnaires have been solved or will most likely be solved in the near future and that this mode of data collection offers serious benefits. However, questionnaire design issues may have a major impact on response and completion rates and on reliability of the data. Theoretically, Web-based questionnaires could be considered an alternative or complementary mode in the range of epidemiologic methods of data collection. Practice and comparisons with the traditional survey techniques should reveal whether they can fulfill their expectations.
Similar articles
- Web-based surveys as an alternative to traditional mail methods.Fleming CM, Bowden M.Fleming CM, et al.J Environ Manage. 2009 Jan;90(1):284-92. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2007.09.011. Epub 2007 Dec 21.J Environ Manage. 2009.PMID:18082316
- A comparison of web-based and paper-based survey methods: testing assumptions of survey mode and response cost.Greenlaw C, Brown-Welty S.Greenlaw C, et al.Eval Rev. 2009 Oct;33(5):464-80. doi: 10.1177/0193841X09340214. Epub 2009 Jul 15.Eval Rev. 2009.PMID:19605623Clinical Trial.
- No increase in response rate by adding a web response option to a postal population survey: a randomized trial.Brøgger J, Nystad W, Cappelen I, Bakke P.Brøgger J, et al.J Med Internet Res. 2007 Dec 31;9(5):e40. doi: 10.2196/jmir.9.5.e40.J Med Internet Res. 2007.PMID:18174120Free PMC article.Clinical Trial.
- Web-based research: an innovative method for nursing research.Duffy M.Duffy M.Can Oncol Nurs J. 2000 Spring;10(2):45-9.Can Oncol Nurs J. 2000.PMID:11022438Review.
- Using online questionnaires to conduct nursing research.Jones S, Murphy F, Edwards M, James J.Jones S, et al.Nurs Times. 2008 Nov 25-Dec 1;104(47):66-9.Nurs Times. 2008.PMID:19068893Review.
Cited by
- Innovative recruitment using online networks: lessons learned from an online study of alcohol and other drug use utilizing a web-based, respondent-driven sampling (webRDS) strategy.Bauermeister JA, Zimmerman MA, Johns MM, Glowacki P, Stoddard S, Volz E.Bauermeister JA, et al.J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2012 Sep;73(5):834-8. doi: 10.15288/jsad.2012.73.834.J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2012.PMID:22846248Free PMC article.
- How computer literacy and socioeconomic status affect attitudes toward a Web-based cohort: results from the NutriNet-Santé study.Pouchieu C, Méjean C, Andreeva VA, Kesse-Guyot E, Fassier P, Galan P, Hercberg S, Touvier M.Pouchieu C, et al.J Med Internet Res. 2015 Feb 2;17(2):e34. doi: 10.2196/jmir.3813.J Med Internet Res. 2015.PMID:25648178Free PMC article.
- Comparison of Dietary Intakes Between a Large Online Cohort Study (Etude NutriNet-Santé) and a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study (Etude Nationale Nutrition Santé) in France: Addressing the Issue of Generalizability in E-Epidemiology.Andreeva VA, Deschamps V, Salanave B, Castetbon K, Verdot C, Kesse-Guyot E, Hercberg S.Andreeva VA, et al.Am J Epidemiol. 2016 Nov 1;184(9):660-669. doi: 10.1093/aje/kww016. Epub 2016 Oct 15.Am J Epidemiol. 2016.PMID:27744386Free PMC article.
- Dogslife: a web-based longitudinal study of Labrador Retriever health in the UK.Clements DN, Handel IG, Rose E, Querry D, Pugh CA, Ollier WE, Morgan KL, Kennedy LJ, Sampson J, Summers KM, de Bronsvoort BM.Clements DN, et al.BMC Vet Res. 2013 Jan 18;9:13. doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-9-13.BMC Vet Res. 2013.PMID:23332044Free PMC article.
- The impact of uterine leiomyomas: a national survey of affected women.Borah BJ, Nicholson WK, Bradley L, Stewart EA.Borah BJ, et al.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Oct;209(4):319.e1-319.e20. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.07.017. Epub 2013 Jul 24.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013.PMID:23891629Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources