Use of web-based surveys in social science and education research : practical and methological considerations

The World Wide Web (WWW) is an increasingly popular space for the solicitation of participants, the distribution of survey materials and the collection of survey data. Web-based surveys have a number of advantages and disadvantages of both a practical and methodological nature, and a researcher's decision to use this type of methodology should be based on the context of the research question to be addressed. This paper will address the pros and cons of using web-based surveys as well as investigate recent attempts by researchers to address some of the more pernicious methodological concerns with using this mode. Finally, important design considerations of web-based surveys will be considered and evaluated.