title: Internet and telephonic IVR mixed-mode survey for longitudinal studies: choice, retention, and data equivalency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined data equivalency and loss to follow-up rates from Internet and interactive voice response (IVR) system surveys in a prospective-cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  475 limited-service restaurant workers participating in the 12-week study were given a choice to report their weekly slipping experience by either IVR or Internet. Demographic differences, loss to follow-up, self-reported rates of slipping, and selection of first and last choices were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Loss to follow-up rates were slightly higher for those choosing the IVR mode. Rates of slipping and selection of first and last choices were not significantly different between survey modes. Propensity to choose an Internet survey decreased with increasing age, and was the lowest among Spanish speakers (5%) and those with less than a high school education (14%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studies relying solely on Internet-based data collection may lead to selective exclusion of certain populations. Findings suggest that Internet and IVR may be combined as survey modalities within longitudinal studies.
authors.affiliation: Center for Injury Epidemiology, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts; Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts. Electronic address: Santosh.Verma@LibertyMutual.com.
authors.forename: Santosh K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: Center for Injury Epidemiology, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts; Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Theodore K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Courtney
authors.affiliation: Center for Injury Epidemiology, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts; Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.affiliation: Center for Physical Ergonomics, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Wen-Ruey
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Center for Behavioral Sciences, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Yueng-Hsiang
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Center for Injury Epidemiology, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Melanye J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, The George Washington University, School of Public Health and Health Services, 2100 M Street, NW Suite 203A, Washington, DC 20037.
authors.forename: Melissa J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002755:Choice Behavior; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D059012:Lost to Follow-Up; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012147:Restaurants; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone
keywords: Fall; IVR; Injury; Interactive voice response; Internet; Longitudinal; Mixed mode; Restaurants; Slips; Survey; Survey method