Assessing response bias in a web survey at a university faculty

Abstract

Online surveys are increasingly common due to the myriad of benefits they offer over traditional survey methods. However, research has shown that response rates to web-based surveys are typically lower than to traditional surveys and can possibly yield biased results. University-based faculty members are a unique cohort that may be ideally suited as subjects for web-based surveys. This paper presents the results of a formal assessment of response bias from a large scale anonymous national survey of faculty members in the discipline of health administration. Results suggested that response bias was at levels undetectable using standard methodological approaches. This paper provides the reader with an overview of steps that can assist evaluators in assessing response bias from data collected with surveys. Thus, it will be of interest to researchers utilising electronic survey methods, especially those interested in surveying university-based faculty members.

Keywords:

• web-based survey
• response bias
• faculty survey
• non-response methods