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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.05.013 Byline: Stefan Stieger (a), Ulf-Dietrich Reips (b)(c) Keywords: Response behavior; Response latency; Response visualization; Non-reactive data; Online questionnaire; Paradata Abstract: The use of online questionnaires is rapidly increasing. Contrary to manifold advantages, not much is known about user behavior that can be measured outside the boundaries set by standard web technologies like HTML form elements. To show how the lack of knowledge about the user setting in web studies can be accounted for, we present a tool called UserActionTracer, with which it is possible to collect more behavior information than with any other paradata gathering tool, in order to (1) gather additional data unobtrusively from the process of answering questions and (2) to visualize individual user behavior on web pages. In an empirical study on a large web sample (N =1046) we observed and analysed online behaviors (e.g., clicking through). We found that only 10.5% of participants showed more than five single behaviors with highly negative influence on data quality in the whole online questionnaire (out of 132 possible single behavior judgments). Furthermore, results were validated by comparison with data from online address books. With the UserActionTracer it is possible to gain further insight into the process of answering online questionnaires. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Basic Psychological Research, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, A-1010 Vienna, Austria (b) Departamento de Psicologia, Universidad de Deusto, Apartado 1, 48080 Bilbao, Spain (c) IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011, Bilbao, Spain

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2004.12.011 Byline: Adam N. Joinson (a), Ulf-Dietrich Reips (b) Keywords: Personalization; Response rates; Salutation; Survey methodology; Power Abstract: Three studies were conducted to examine the effect of personalized salutation and sender power on signing up to an online survey panel, and subsequent survey response rates. In the first study, significantly more people joined a panel if addressed by a personalized salutation. In Study 2, this effect was replicated using an invitation to leave a second panel. In the final study, a significant salutation effect was found when power of the sender was high, and not when power of the sender was neutral. It is argued that for this sample, power of audience and participant identifiability linked to create a compliance-based motivation to join and maintain membership of an online panel. Implications for the maintenance of online panels, survey response rates, and the collection of sensitive personal information, are discussed. Author Affiliation: (a) Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Walton Hall Campus, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK (b) Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Germany

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2004.10.012 Byline: Adam N. Joinson (a), Alan Woodley (a), Ulf-Dietrich Reips (b) Abstract: Two studies are presented that examine disclosure of sensitive information and personalization in Internet-based surveys. In the first study, the impact of a personalized salutation on two forms of non-disclosure to a sensitive personal question (salary level) is tested. The results revealed that a personalized salutation tends to increase levels of active non-disclosure (measured through use of an 'I prefer not to answer' option), but not passive non-disclosure (where the respondent selects no option). In the second study, participants are directed to the study via either a personalized URL (which incorporated an encoded identifier not obvious as such to the responder) or via a secure log-on page that required the user to type in identifying information. Non-disclosure to a sensitive question (salary) was significantly higher when participants went through a log-on procedure. We suggest that this pattern of non-disclosure to sensitive questions reflects increases in identifiability when a personalized salutation or log-on procedure is used. We further suggest that the provision of an active non-disclosure option to a sensitive question is particularly appropriate in contexts in which anonymity may be compromised, since it enables participants to both protect their privacy and respond appropriately to the survey. Author Affiliation: (a) Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Walton Hall Campus, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK (b) Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland