2.1.1 Doing things differently: The advantages and disadvantages of web questionnaires (15)

Fiona Murphy, Head of Information Technology, School of Health Science, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, United Kingdom Co authors: Mark Edwards & Jane James

Abstract:

The use of questionnaires as a method of data collection in research is well established with the benefits and drawbacks of using such a method extensively debated (Oppenheim 1992, Bowling 2002). What is less evident in the literature is a consideration of the process of delivering questionnaires to large samples. A standard approach has been through the use of paper hard copy questionnaires, which are then delivered to the target population. However, the increased use of personal computers means there is a newer alternative, which is the delivery of questionnaires through the Internet (Hayslett and Wildemuth 2004).

Drawing on our experiences of delivering a web-based questionnaire to a group of 197 pre-registration nursing students, this paper will explore the advantages and disadvantages of the delivery of a questionnaire using the Internet. It will discuss the techniques in developing a web based questionnaire, some of the technical details needed to deliver it, ethical considerations and our experiences of the advantages and disadvantages of this approach over paper based questionnaires. The advantages are firstly, that the researcher has more control over the quality of the data from returned questionnaires. The second is that transcription errors are reduced because data is transferred directly into the analysis software. Disadvantages relate to the amount of effort and technical expertise required to produce and deliver the questionnaire and that response rates were not enhanced. Despite these, it was felt that for large surveys in nursing and healthcare research, web based questionnaires have potential.