COURSE CONTENT: Introduction to web survey methodology

The course provides a general introduction to web survey methodology concepts and implementation practice. On one side, a systematic and broad overview of key methodological issues is given that covers all three vital steps of the core web survey process: pre-fielding (2 course hours), fielding and post-fielding (1 course hour each). On the other side and simultaneously, at all essential points where important dilemmas arise for the users, the key practical suggestions will be elaborated for the purpose of conducting high quality web surveys. The participants will thus gain competencies in two directions:

  • an insight into contemporary challenges of web survey methodology and an overview of the corresponding state of the art; and
  • essential suggestions about solutions related to the most important and also the most frequent practical problems.

Some previous knowledge about the key concepts of survey research is helpful, but not required. Also helpful is a certain familiarity with (any) web survey software. The course will otherwise rely on the 1KA web survey software tool for illustrations.

The participants are encouraged to come with their own web survey examples as well as questions to make the classes more interactive and practical.

Literature and resources:

  • Callegaro, M., Lozar-Manfreda, K. & Vehovar, V. (2015). Web Survey Methodology. London: Sage (more at book.websm.org).
  • Website: Web Survey Methodology, http://WebSM.org
 

COURSE CONTENT: Advanced topics in web survey methodology

The course will elaborate on the following web survey methodology topics:

  • Web survey software selection
  • Paradata usage and analysis
  • Mobile device specifics
  • Mixed mode challenges
  • Management of the web survey process

Each topic will be allocated 1 course hour. An advanced overview of the state of the art will be presented for each topic, together with practical tips. The last hour will be dedicated to a group discussion of the case studies prepared by instructor. Participants are also invited to present research challenges arising from their own research.

The prerequisite is the course “Introduction to web survey methodology”, any similar course, or serious practical experience with web surveys. Participants are also expected to have a certain familiarity with (any) web survey software. The course will otherwise rely on the 1KA web survey software tool for illustrations.

Familiarity with corresponding sections in the “Web Survey Methodology” book is optional although beneficial, particularly for issues of specific interest to a certain participant.

The participants are also encouraged to come with their own web survey examples or questions to make the classes more interactive and practical.

Literature and resources:

  • Callegaro, M., Lozar-Manfreda, K. & Vehovar, V. (2015). Web Survey Methodology. London: Sage (more about the book at book.websm.org).
  • Website: Web Survey Methodology, http://WebSM.org
 

INSTRUCTOR:

Vasja Vehovar is Professor of Statistics at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. He earned a BSc in mathematics and a BA in economics at the University of Ljubljana, where he later obtained an MA and a PhD in statistics. He also holds a Diploma and an MA in Social Science Data Analysis from the University of Essex, UK. After completing his PhD, he specialised in sampling at the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, USA, where he also spent a Fulbright scholarship year.

His initial interest was in survey sampling and survey nonresponse. However, in his career he has expanded his interests to a broad spectrum of social science methodology, particularly methodological issues related to social informatics and the information society. Within these contexts, he has published extensively in various areas of social science methodology and been involved in numerous international research projects. In the last decade, however, he has almost exclusively focused on web survey methodology.

Within the area of web survey methodology, in 1996 he ran one of the first scientific experiments with web surveys. In 1998, he co-established the WebSM website, which is today the leading global resource on web survey methodology; it also received the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) innovators award in 2009. In 2003–2005, he was coordinating the WebSM EU framework project and today he still assures continuous maintenance of the website. In 2008, he launched the open-source web survey software 1KA to support web survey research experiments. At the same time, the 1KA tool also offers (with the basic installation at www.1ka.si) free hosting for academic and other non-profit web surveys. In 2015, he co-authored the monograph Web Survey Methodology (for more about the book, see book.websm.org).

Home page: http://vv.ris.org