Errors in Web Surveys

Abstract

Errors may occur in surveys whatever the mode of data collection, but some errors are more likely to occur in some types of surveys. For an example, it makes a difference whether interviewers conduct interviews or the respondents complete the questionnaires themselves. This chapter focuses on errors in web surveys. Sometimes the impact of a specific type of error in a web survey is compared with other types of surveys. After giving an overview of what can go wrong, the chapter concentrates on two types of problems: measurement errors and nonresponse errors. Measurement error is a general concept used outside the field of survey research. Statistics Netherlands has conducted experiments to determine whether a mixed-mode survey can replace a CAPI or CATI survey without affecting the quality of the results. One such experiment with the Dutch Safety Monitor is described in this section. Objective of the Safety Monitor is to measure a number of indicators.

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