Work

Survey Mode as a Source of Instability in Responses across Surveys

Year: 2004

Type: article

Abstract: Changes in survey mode for conducting panel surveys may contribute significantly to survey error. This article explores the causes and consequences of such changes in survey mode. The authors describe how and why the choice of survey mode often causes changes to be made to the wording of questions, as well as the reasons that identically worded questions often produce different answers when administered through different modes. The authors provide evidence that answers may changeas a result of different visual layouts for otherwise identical questions and suggest ways to keep measurement the same despite changes in survey mode.

Source: Field Methods

DOI: 10.1177/1525822x04269550

Authors: Don A. Dillman, Leah Melani Christian

Institution: Washington State University

Language: English

Topic: Survey Methodology and Nonresponse

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington State University, National Agricultural Statistics Service

OpenAlex ID: W2107184875

FWCI: 31.68

Cites: 26

Cited by: 243

Related to: 10