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Survey Tools: An Embarrassment of Riches
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| Presenter(s):
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| Jamie Drakos, Cadmus Group Inc, jamie.drakos@cadmusgroup.com
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| Bonnie Watson, Cadmus Group Inc, bonnie.watson@cadmusgroup.com
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| Jessica Aiona, Cadmus Group Inc, jessica.aiona@cadmusgroup.com
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| Abstract:
This paper reviews the efforts an evaluation firm, The Cadmus Group, used in selecting a software package for in-house surveys. Surveys are an important component of most evaluations, and a quality survey software tool is key for successful data collection and analysis. Performing surveys in-house rather than using a survey firm can offer benefits such as: reducing costs, capitalizing on internal staff's technical knowledge, and controlling survey administration. However, selecting a software tool from the sizable number of programs available can be daunting. Faced with this challenge, the authors reviewed several survey tools, paying particular attention to: ease of use, the number of full-access users the tool supported, capabilities to deliver surveys on-line, simultaneous respondent access, a CATI system, data storage on a secure server, data extraction, and compatibility with analysis software. This paper describes several software packages and presents pros and cons for the survey tool chosen.
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Contextual Factors in Web-based Surveying: A Longitudinal Investigation of Rates of Response Patterns Within the Response Window
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| Presenter(s):
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| Sheryl A Hodge, Kansas State University, shodge@ksu.edu
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| Christa A Smith, Kansas State University, christas@ksu.edu
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| Valerie K York, Kansas State University, vyork@ksu.edu
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| Abstract:
Dillman's (2007) update on the tailored design method as it relates to Internet surveys suggests continued use of mixed-mode techniques for minimizing sampling bias and achieving optimal population representation. Moreover, as with mailed surveys, Ritter and Sue (2007) underscore the natural dependency of Internet survey response rates on participant's investment, incentives, reminders, and specific subject attributes. Clearly, a representative sample of the population is imperative for replication and external validity, and respondent characteristic analyses are equally important in bolstering internal validity. Although the tailored design method was foundational for sound Internet surveying, it is vital that further idiosyncrasies inherent to Web-based surveying continue to be investigated. Inasmuch, this study will extend earlier research on rates of Web-based survey response within the data collection window (Hodge & Smith, 2006; Smith, Hodge, & McGee, 2007) by presenting longitudinal support for response patterns, accompanying demographic characteristics, and within-subjects analyses of increased incentive effects.
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Evaluating Community in Online Settings: Frameworks, Evidence and Techniques
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| Presenter(s):
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| Vanessa Dennen, Florida State University, vdennen@fsu.edu
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| Abstract:
The term 'community' is used frequently to refer to users of particular interactive online tools, but how do we know that true community exists? This presentation addresses this issue by covering two topics. First is a discussion of frameworks and criteria for identifying online community, with a focus on surface (e.g. links, tags) and deep (e.g. comments, norms) evidence that can be found in online settings. Second is a discussion of data collection and analysis techniques, including social network analysis and naturalistic methods, that may be used when evaluating the presence of virtual community. An evaluation of a blog-based community will be used to provide concrete examples throughout.
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