Using electronic surveys: advice from survey professionals

The study reports the perceptions and recommendations of sixty-two experienced survey researchers from the American Educational Research Association regarding the use of electronic surveys. The most positive aspects cited for the use of electronic surveys were reduction of costs (i.e., postage, phone charges), the use of electronic mail for pre-notification or follow-up purposes, and the compatibility of data with existing software programs. These professionals expressed limitations in using electronic surveys pertaining to the limited sampling frame as well as issues of confidentiality, privacy, and the credibility of the sample. They advised that electronic surveys designed with the varied technological background and capabilities of the respondent in mind, follow sound principles of survey construction, and be administered to pre-notified, targeted populations with published email addresses. Accessed 73,957 times on https://pareonline.net from January 02, 2002 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right