Research Reports

A DISCUSSION OF DATA COLLECTION VIA THE INTERNET

Elizabeth Sweet and Chad Russell

KEY WORDS: Computerized Questionnaires

ABSTRACT

In recent years, there has been a trend toward greater automation in the interview/data collection process. Computerized questionnaires have in many instances replaced the "paper and pencil" mode of collecting data with positive results. The increasing public awareness and use of the Internet, in particular the World Wide Web, presents new opportunities for persons designing computerized questionnaires. The Bureau of the Census is exploring ways to use the Internet and related technologies to collect data. Issues such as security, respondent coverage, and perception will determine how the Bureau can take advantage of this technology. This paper discusses some of the approaches we have examined, and the pros and cons of each.

CITATION: 1996,"A Discussion of Data Collection via the Internet." Proceedings of the Section on Survey Research Methods, Alexandria, VA: American Statistical Association, pp. 774-779.