Online Questionnaire Software Advantages / Disadvantages

by Huffman, Isaac

This study describes a web-based survey regarding the effects of web-based survey tools on the survey process in library environments. Library employees who were likely to have conducted an online and print survey were contacted via email and asked to participate anonymously in the survey. The survey asked about survey recruitment, the layout process and various tools for data verification and analysis.

A total of twenty-three library employees responded. The data was evaluated qualitatively. The survey results indicated that online questionnaires had a positive effect on the survey process in libraries. The advantages over print surveys included: listserv recruitment, the skip-logic function, easier preparation, the ability to conduct many short surveys quickly, and the analytic tools. Disadvantages included: poor response rates, technological difficulties, layout problems, difficult recruitment of certain populations and problems getting the desired answers.