Web-based questionnaires and experiments are essential epidemiologic tools that provide vital information on public health and diseases. They are a popular method of collecting data that is often less costly and time-consuming than face-toface interviews, mailed questionnaires or automated menus for telephone systems. However, questionnaires and Web tests have some limitations that need to be addressed in order to ensure valid and reliable results.
A questionnaire may be affected by response bias. This is the tendency for respondents to answer questions based on their own opinions, rather than research objectives. The structure of a questionnaire can influence responses in a variety of ways. For example the language of the question may affect whether the respondents comprehend the question and interpret it in the same manner (reliable), whether the question measures the topic you are looking for (valid) and the ability of respondents to accurately answer (credible).
Respondents may also experience survey fatigue or a lack of interest in the questions that are asked, which reduces the likelihood of them providing honest answers. In addition, a lack of incentives or monetary compensation could make it difficult for respondents to take the time to fill out an application.
Online questionnaires pose challenges for certain experimental designs, for example, positioning or reaction time studies. The variation in settings for browsers size, screen sizes, and operating systems makes it difficult to measure and control the same variables across participants.
Additionally, surveys conducted on the Web are only accessible to those who are keyboard and Internet proficient, which excludes a significant proportion of the population. It’s also difficult for Web researchers to update participants after the experiment window has ended.
internet-based.org/virtual-data-room-that-its-advanced-features