Non-Response Bias with a Web-Based Survey of College Students: Differences from a Classroom Survey About Carrying Concealed Handguns

Internet-based and e-mail surveys represent viable administrative methods for efficiently collecting data. These methods appear to be particularly well-suited for studying college student populations, a group that has gained attention from criminologists interested in testing theories. An important...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Wells, William (Autor) ; Cavanaugh, Michael R. (Autor) ; Bouffard, Jeffrey A. (Autor) ; Nobles, Matt R. (Autor)
Tipo de documento: Electrónico Artículo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2012
En: Journal of quantitative criminology
Año: 2012, Volumen: 28, Número: 3, Páginas: 455-476
Acceso en línea: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Palabras clave:
Concealed handgun permits
College student sample
Survey non-response
Descripción
Sumario:Internet-based and e-mail surveys represent viable administrative methods for efficiently collecting data. These methods appear to be particularly well-suited for studying college student populations, a group that has gained attention from criminologists interested in testing theories. An important concern with administering surveys with the Internet and via e-mail is that of non-response bias. Despite the appeal of online surveys, nonresponse bias associated with these methods has not been sufficiently investigated. The study described here estimates nonresponse bias associated with a web-administered survey that measured opinions about changing concealed handgun carrying laws on college campuses, items likely to elicit polarizing opinions. Results show important substantive differences between web-administered and in-class versions of the survey. Students who responded to the web survey expressed more extreme opinions and behavioral responses to a proposed policy that would allow concealed handgun carrying on campus. Survey researchers who utilize web-based administrative methods should consider using multiple sources of leverage when soliciting participation and must carefully evaluate sample representativeness.
ISSN:1573-7799
DOI:10.1007/s10940-011-9148-4