Mayr A, Gefeller O, Prokosch HU, Pirkl A, Fröhlich A, de Zwaan M (2012)
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier
Book Volume: 65
Pages Range: 970-977
Journal Issue: 9
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2012.03.005
Objective: To assess and to evaluate possible effects arising from Web-based data collection on the results of a study. Study Design and Setting: We analyzed participants of the German Weight Control Registry (GWCR) of whom 328 chose to use Web-based questionnaires and 139 preferred to participate via a traditional postal survey. Furthermore, we included data of 212 individuals sampled independently from the general population who fulfilled the study's inclusion criteria - giving us the chance to differentiate between response bias (concerning Web-based data collection) and general selection bias (concerning participation in the GWCR). Results: In addition to selection bias (GWCR participants are overall better educated, more likely to live in a partnership, more often female, and older than the general population), we also found a substantial response bias: Participants using the Internet were younger, better educated, and more often male compared with participants preferring the paper-and-pencil version. However, after adjusting for these differences, we found no additional direct effect of Web-based data collection on any of the outcome variables. Conclusion: Web-based epidemiologic studies still do not attract the same participants as postal surveys, even in highly industrialized countries. However, after adjusting for this bias, the same results can be expected. © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
APA:
Mayr, A., Gefeller, O., Prokosch, H.-U., Pirkl, A., Fröhlich, A., & de Zwaan, M. (2012). Web-based data collection yielded an additional response bias - but had no direct effect on outcome scales. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 65(9), 970-977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2012.03.005
MLA:
Mayr, Andreas, et al. "Web-based data collection yielded an additional response bias - but had no direct effect on outcome scales." Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 65.9 (2012): 970-977.
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