Mixed‐mode Surveys

Abstract

Using the Internet as one of the data collection modes in a mixed-mode survey offers new opportunities, but also creates challenges. Recent literature has discussed various aspects of this type of surveys. Both opportunities and challenges are discussed in this chapter. The focus is especially on challenges and critical problems. The chapter focuses on what mixed-mode surveys are, why they should be used, how they should be used for good data quality and how future trend looks like. The chapter discusses mode effects and explains how to deal with them. It also provides an overview and discussion about the mixed-mode survey design and management. Mixed-mode surveys have several advantages, but there are also many methodological problems and challenges. In general, there are four options to reduce mode method effects: prevent through questionnaire design, avoid through data collection design, adjust through estimation design, or stabilize through mode calibration.

Authors 2

1. Silvia Biffignandi

   University of Bergamo

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Bergamo, Italy

2. Jelke G. Bethlehem Aachen Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences Institute of Political Science

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Institute of Political Science, Leiden University, The Netherlands