Face-to-Face versus Web Surveying in a High-Internet-Coverage Population: Differences in Response Quality

The current study experimentally investigates the differences in data quality between a face-to-face and a web survey. Based on satisficing theory, it was hypothesized that web survey respondents would be more likely to satisfice for a multitude of reasons, thereby producing data of lower quality. The data show support for the hypothesis. Web survey respondents were shown to produce a higher "don't know" response rate, to differentiate less on rating scales, and to produce more item nonresponse than face-to-face survey respondents.