Web Survey Methodology

The book Web Survey Methodology by Mario Callegaro, Katja Lozar Manfreda, and Vasja Vehovar introduces readers to the fundamental concepts of web surveys. It covers key concepts and findings in the literature on questionnaire design, sampling, recruitment, fielding, nonresponse, data preparation, post-survey adjustments, paradata, survey software, and cost issues. The book gives practical advice on conducting web surveys and points out critical aspects and new developments in the field of web survey methodology. The book’s approach differs from that of other books on web surveys, such as Tourangeau et al. (2013), for example; Callegaro et al. do not structure their book around the Total Survey Error (TSE) framework (Groves et al. 2011), but base the chapters on the web survey process. Therefore, the book Web Survey Methodology goes beyond the topics of error sources or design effects (also see Couper 2008) by including subjects such as field management, cost, and legal issues. Consequently, the book Web Survey Methodology is a valuable addition to the literature on web survey methodology and should satisfy readers who are interested in carrying out their own web survey. The book contains eight chapters. The first chapter is a general introduction on the topic of web survey methodology. This is followed by three chapters on the key steps of the web survey process: prefielding, fielding, postfielding. The last part consists of three chapters on selected advanced topics and future developments in the field of web surveys. The book ends with a conclusion on how web surveys have changed and will continue to change the field of survey methodology. Chapter 1 sets the scene for the entire book by providing definitions and typologies. Despite the fact that it is common practice to use the terms online survey, Internet survey and web survey interchangeably, the authors do a good job of clarifying and differentiating these terms from each other. For example, the concept of web survey is described here as HTML content with a unique web address which enables users to enter data on a web form. The generated content is then transferred to a researcher’s server (p. 12). This is followed by an overview of advantages and limitations of the web survey method from a researcher’s, practitioner’s and do-it-yourself user’s perspective. While web surveys have variable cost and measurement advantages, they are also limited by the absence of a sampling frame of email addresses or IP addresses (which makes contacting the general population demanding). The chapter concludes with a description of different types of web