Web-based surveys as an alternative to traditional mail methods.
Environmental economists have long used surveys to gather information about people's preferences. A recent innovation in survey methodology has been the advent of web-based surveys. While the Internet appears to offer a promising alternative to conventional survey administration modes, concerns exist over potential sampling biases associated with web-based surveys and the effect these may have on valuation estimates. This paper compares results obtained from a travel cost questionnaire of visitors to Fraser Island, Australia, that was conducted using two alternate survey administration modes; conventional mail and web-based. It is found that response rates and the socio-demographic make-up of respondents to the two survey modes are not statistically different. Moreover, both modes yield similar consumer surplus estimates.
Fleming
Christopher M
CM
School of Economics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. c.fleming@uq.edu.au
Bowden
Mark
M
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003625:Data Collection / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000191:economics; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010139:Pacific Islands; D011177:Postal Service / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D011793:Queensland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D014195:Travel / Q000191:economics