Going web or staying paper? The use of web-surveys among older people

Susanne Kelfve · Marie Kivi · Boo E. A. Johansson · Magnus Lindwall

110 citations0/0 files storedBMC Medical Research Methodology

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Survey Methodology and Nonresponse Technology Use by Older Adults Survey Sampling and Estimation Techniques

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Web-surveys are increasingly used in population studies. Yet, web-surveys targeting older individuals are still uncommon for various reasons. However, with younger cohorts approaching older age, the potentials for web-surveys among older people might be improved. In this study, we investigated response patterns in a web-survey targeting older adults and the potential importance of offering a paper-questionnaire as an alternative to the web-questionnaire. METHODS: We analyzed data from three waves of a retirement study, in which a web-push methodology was used and a paper questionnaire was offered as an alternative to the web questionnaire in the last reminder. We mapped the response patterns, compared web- and paper respondents and compared different key outcomes resulting from the sample with and without the paper respondents, both at baseline and after two follow-ups. RESULTS: Paper-respondents, that is, those that did not answer until they got a paper questionnaire with the last reminder, were more likely to be female, retired, single, and to report a lower level of education, higher levels of depression and lower self-reported health, compared to web-respondents. The association between retirement status and depression was only present among web-respondents. The differences between web and paper respondents were stronger in the longitudinal sample (after two follow-ups) than at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a web-survey might be a feasible and good alternative in surveys targeting people in the retirement age range. However, without offering a paper-questionnaire, a small but important group will likely be missing with potential biased estimates as the result.

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1977The CES-D Scale 1985The Satisfaction With Life Scale 2000Web Surveys 2007Participation Rates in Epidemiologic Studies 2005Mode of questionnaire administration can have serious effects on data quality 2004A Comparison of Web and Mail Survey Response Rates 2009Factors affecting response rates of the web survey: A systematic review 2010Selection Bias in Web Surveys

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