Issues of Adaptive Automated Surveys in a Computer Network Environment
Abstract
Computer-based surveys administered over a computer network hold out a myriad of possibilities for tailoring surveys to particular groups or even to individual respondents, including adaptive automated surveys and new types of surveys never possible before. Computer-administered surveys allow survey items and instructions to be conveyed textually, graphically, and even in animation. Computer networks thus provide an ideal medium on which to conduct innovative, multimedia, dynamic surveys--surveys that can be sent instantaneously to a large number of recipients, regardless of whether the recipients are on-line at that time. They also allow the recipients to reply at a time that is convenient for them, without regard to whether the originator of the questionnaire is currently on-line and without having to look up an address or find a post box. The goals for this research included a review of the state of the art in current survey technology, an analysis of which methods and procedures can be applied directly to computer network surveys, and hypothesized extrapolations of certain aspects of current survey technology that hold promise for the new medium of computer networks. Based on these findings, we delineated four sets of critical issues that must be investigated in order to conduct valid and reliable network surveys. We also conducted two pilot experiments to explore initial hypotheses about how effective network questionnaires should be formatted and how supporting help could be offered. These pilot experiments provided an opportunity to test and validate the experimental design and methodology that we developed. The appendix of this report discusses four areas in which empirical research is needed and outlines a program for conducting such research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA389867
Entities
People
- Caroline Kerrigan
- Debra Mccallum
- Elliot E. Entin
- Michael Berbaum
- Patrice Lancey