Collecting Data Through Online Survey Vs Paper-based Questionnaire: An Experience in a University Setting

Sriyani Perera

Sriyani Perera Medical Library Faculty of Medicine University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka

Abstract

Several studies using surveys on various aspects of library issues have been carried out by the author with the aim of using the findings to develop the existing scenario. Methodologies included different means of collection of data including questionnaire. This paper focuses on the use of questionnaire to collect data and compare the effectiveness of the hardcopy verses the online in a university setting in Sri Lanka and Brunei Darussalam. The authorâ€™s experience in using both modes of administering the questionnaire and the concern about inadequacy of the response rate to the online survey are discussed. The article aims to highlight the usefulness of improving the practice of online survey method in the university setting and to suggest means of developing the evaluation strategy.

References

[1] Dommeyer, C.J., Baum, P., Hanna, R.W. Chapman, K.S. (2004). Gathering faculty teaching evaluations by in-class and online surveys: their effects on response rates and evaluations. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education 29 (5) 611â€“623. [2] Hernon, P., Altman, E. (1998). Assessing service quality : satisfying the expectations of library customers. Chicago: American Library Association. [3] Hernon, P., McClure, C. (1990). Evaluation and library decision making. Norwood, NJ [4] Hernon,P., Whitman, J. (2001). Delivering satisfaction and service quality : A customer [5] Nulty, D.D. (2008). The adequacy of response rates to online and paper surveys: what can be done. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education 33 (3), June, 301â€“314 [6] Pearson Assessments. (2006). Survey Tracker Plus, available online at: http://www.pearsonncs.com/surveytracker/index.htm (accessed 3 May). [7] Richardson, J.T. E. (2005). Instruments for obtaining student feedback: a review of the literature. Assessment& Evaluation in Higher Education 30 (4) 387â€“415. [8] Salmon, P., Deasy, T., B. Garrigan. (2004). What escapes the Net? A statistical comparison of responses from paper and web surveys. Paper presented at the 2004 Evaluation Forum: Communicating Evaluation Outcomes: Issues and Approaches, Melbourne, Australia, 24â€“25 November. [9] Van House, N., Weil, N., McClure, C. (1990). Measuring academic library performance: A practical approach. Chicago: American Library Association [10]Watt, S., Simpson, C., McKillop, C., Nunn. V. (2002). Electronic course surveys: does automating feedback and reporting give better results? Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education 27 (4) 325â€“337.