The Effect of Survey Mode on High School Risk Behavior Data: a Comparison between Web and Paper-based Surveys

There has been increasing interest in using of web-based surveys—rather than paper based surveys--for collecting data on alcohol and other drug use in middle and high schools in the US. However, prior research has indicated that respondent confidentiality is an underlying concern with online data co...

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Main Authors: Shobana Raghupathy, Stephen Hahn-Smith
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Arizona State University 2013-08-01
Series:Current Issues in Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://cie.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/cieatasu/article/view/1172
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author Shobana Raghupathy
Stephen Hahn-Smith
author_facet Shobana Raghupathy
Stephen Hahn-Smith
author_sort Shobana Raghupathy
collection DOAJ
description There has been increasing interest in using of web-based surveys—rather than paper based surveys--for collecting data on alcohol and other drug use in middle and high schools in the US. However, prior research has indicated that respondent confidentiality is an underlying concern with online data collection especially when computer-assisted surveys are administered in group settings such as computer labs and classrooms. Using a sample of 341 high school students, we conducted a study comparing alcohol risk behavior prevalence rates from the web-based surveys with paper-form version of the same survey.  The online surveys used in the study implemented several programming safeguards to enhance privacy. The goal of our study was to see if the risk-behavior items—when transitioned to an online format with these additional safeguards—would provide prevalence estimates that are comparable to its paper form version. Results showed that overall alcohol prevalence rates did not vary significantly between the two conditions. However, there was a significant interaction between gender and survey mode. Females reported lower mean risk indicator rates compared to males, possibly indicating stronger privacy concerns among the former group. The results suggest that online survey administration may require targeted efforts to help alleviate confidentiality concerns among adolescent girls.
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spelling doaj.art-ed8ebbbff40b4e429df5ec05dd06f3622022-12-22T04:16:57ZengArizona State UniversityCurrent Issues in Education1099-839X2013-08-01162The Effect of Survey Mode on High School Risk Behavior Data: a Comparison between Web and Paper-based SurveysShobana Raghupathy0Stephen Hahn-Smith1Sociometrics CorporationResearch & Evaluation Manager for Behavioral Health Services Contra Costa Behavioral Health Division, CAThere has been increasing interest in using of web-based surveys—rather than paper based surveys--for collecting data on alcohol and other drug use in middle and high schools in the US. However, prior research has indicated that respondent confidentiality is an underlying concern with online data collection especially when computer-assisted surveys are administered in group settings such as computer labs and classrooms. Using a sample of 341 high school students, we conducted a study comparing alcohol risk behavior prevalence rates from the web-based surveys with paper-form version of the same survey.  The online surveys used in the study implemented several programming safeguards to enhance privacy. The goal of our study was to see if the risk-behavior items—when transitioned to an online format with these additional safeguards—would provide prevalence estimates that are comparable to its paper form version. Results showed that overall alcohol prevalence rates did not vary significantly between the two conditions. However, there was a significant interaction between gender and survey mode. Females reported lower mean risk indicator rates compared to males, possibly indicating stronger privacy concerns among the former group. The results suggest that online survey administration may require targeted efforts to help alleviate confidentiality concerns among adolescent girls.https://cie.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/cieatasu/article/view/1172onlinealcoholyouth risk behaviorschool healthweb-based surveymethods.
spellingShingle Shobana Raghupathy
Stephen Hahn-Smith
The Effect of Survey Mode on High School Risk Behavior Data: a Comparison between Web and Paper-based Surveys
Current Issues in Education
online
alcohol
youth risk behavior
school health
web-based survey
methods.
title The Effect of Survey Mode on High School Risk Behavior Data: a Comparison between Web and Paper-based Surveys
title_full The Effect of Survey Mode on High School Risk Behavior Data: a Comparison between Web and Paper-based Surveys
title_fullStr The Effect of Survey Mode on High School Risk Behavior Data: a Comparison between Web and Paper-based Surveys
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Survey Mode on High School Risk Behavior Data: a Comparison between Web and Paper-based Surveys
title_short The Effect of Survey Mode on High School Risk Behavior Data: a Comparison between Web and Paper-based Surveys
title_sort effect of survey mode on high school risk behavior data a comparison between web and paper based surveys
topic online
alcohol
youth risk behavior
school health
web-based survey
methods.
url https://cie.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/cieatasu/article/view/1172
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