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ABSTRACT
Online surveys offer an alternative to mail, telephone, and on-site techniques for gathering data. However, criticisms of Internet surveys, including survey and item nonresponse bias, and differences in the nature of the data have been raised. A total of 11 data sets were collected at Zuma Beach, California; within various state parks and forests in Massachusetts; at Buck Island Reef National Monument, USVI; and at Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida. These studies were designed, in part, to test for differences between the modes of survey delivery. Data for each study site were collected via both mail and Internet surveys, with the mail and Internet surveys being identical for each study location. Results indicate that while some differences exist between mail and online surveys at the individual study level, these differences are not present when the studies are combined and that mode differences observed for individual studies may be idiosyncratic rather than mode specific.
KEYWORDS
Internet surveys; mail surveys; mixed-mode survey design; online surveys; research methodology
In recent decades, two of the most preferred social science methods for collecting large-scale recreation data were either a mail survey or a random digit dial telephone survey. Both of these methods have proven effective in producing a satisfactory response rate at a reasonable cost. However, in recent years, response rates have been declining, costs have risen, survey fatigue has become an issue, and the ways people communicate have changed. This has led recreation researchers to seek alternative methods of data collection.
The preferred choice of survey mode requires that several issues be considered, including but not limited to survey population, time, resources, data quality, efficiency, and expected response rate. Declining research budgets combined with an increased demand for social science data to inform decision making have led many researchers to consider using Internet surveys as an alternative data collection method since they are perceived to be a cheaper and quicker option to the conventional survey administration modes. Their ease of use, low cost and advanced capabilities (e.g., automatic data entry, integrated statistical analysis capability, response logging, etc.) make Internet surveys an attractive medium to many recreation researchers. The widespread availability of the Internet and the rapid pace at which online technologies develop has led to a rise...