Potential Response Bias in Internet Use for Survey Religious Research
Increased use of internet technology for survey research has raised concerns about the representativeness, validity and generalizability of results. The Worshiping into God's Future surveys conducted by the United Church of Christ included an option to complete surveys either by internet or mai...
| Published in: | Review of religious research |
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| Authors: | ; |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Springer
2007
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| In: |
Review of religious research
Year: 2007, Volume: 49, Issue: 1, Pages: 54-68 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
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| Summary: | Increased use of internet technology for survey research has raised concerns about the representativeness, validity and generalizability of results. The Worshiping into God's Future surveys conducted by the United Church of Christ included an option to complete surveys either by internet or mail, providing an opportunity to compare responders' demographic characteristics by each method, as well as differences in results obtained. The newest congregations, the largest, and those with websites were more likely to have completed surveys on the internet. Asian/Pacific Islander and African-American congregations were more likely than white congregations to have used the internet, although their overall response rates were lower. Internet use decreased with age among laity, and was lower among clergy with 40 or more years of experience. Lay internet responders were more critical of worship than others. Clergy internet responders were less traditional in opinions about worship, more innovative, and more interested in additional electronic resources. Differences were greater for opinions than for worship practices, which differed little by mode of responding. Surveys conducted only via the internet would likely overestimate interest in innovation, and the use of both modes is recommended for greatest generalizability. |
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| ISSN: | 2211-4866 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Review of religious research
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