Web-based research and questionnaires are essential epidemiologic tools that offer vital information about public health and disease. They are a common method for collecting data. They are generally less expensive and time-consuming than face-toface interviews, mail-in questionnaires, or automated phone menu systems. However questionnaires and Web tests have some limitations that need to be addressed in order to ensure reliable and valid results.
A questionnaire may be affected by response bias, which is the tendency of respondents to answer questions according to their own opinions instead of the research goals. The layout of a survey can influence responses in many ways. For instance, the wording of the question could influence whether respondents are able to comprehend the question and interpret it in the same way (reliable), whether the question reflects what you’re interested in (valid) and the ability of respondents to accurately answer (credible).
Respondents can also experience survey fatigue or lack of interest in the questions asked which decreases the probability of them giving honest answers. Additionally, a lack of incentives or monetary compensation could discourage participants from taking the time to fill out survey forms.
Online questionnaires can also pose a challenge for some experiments, such as reaction-time or positioning studies. The varying settings of browsers, screen sizes, and operating systems makes it challenging to measure and control the same variables for different people.
Finaly, Web-based surveys can only be accessed by people who are keyboard and Internet literate. This excludes a substantial portion of the population. Additionally, it is often difficult for Web researchers to provide feedback to participants after an experiment’s end.
internet-based.org/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-questionnaires