How survey administration can affect response in electronic surveys

Abstract

Electronic surveys have become one of the most popular methods of data collection in research. In order to obtain satisfactory results, good response rates are needed. We examine response rates to a survey administered in a face-to-face class-based setting collected using an electronic survey tool. The electronic survey was administered in four separate instances where each instance involved the survey administrator using either an active or passive administrative approach, and either offering or declining to offer extra credit. While no significant difference was found in actual responses to questions between the four groups, a significant difference was found in response rates between respondents who were offered extra credit and those who were not, and between surveys that were administered using active versus passive approaches. Other expected findings include higher responses in individual groups using the active approach and offering extra credit. An unexpected result occurred in the groups where no extra credit was offered: No significant difference was found between the active and passive administrations.