The Feasibility of a Web-Based Surveillance System to Collect Health Risk Behavior Data from College Students

This study examined the feasibility of collecting health risk behavior data from undergraduate students using a Web-based survey. Undergraduates were randomly selected and assigned randomly to a mail survey group and a Web survey group. There were no statistically significant differences between the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health education & behavior 2001-10, Vol.28 (5), p.547-559
Main Authors: Pealer, Lisa N., Weiler, Robert M., Pigg, R. Morgan, Miller, David, Dorman, Steve M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
College students
Demography
Epidemiology
Feasibility Studies
Female
Florida
General aspects
Health Behavior
Health risk assessment
Health Surveys
Humans
Internet
Male
Medical sciences
Methodology
Population Surveillance - methods
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Questionnaires
Risk-Taking
Students - psychology
Students - statistics & numerical data
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors
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Summary:This study examined the feasibility of collecting health risk behavior data from undergraduate students using a Web-based survey. Undergraduates were randomly selected and assigned randomly to a mail survey group and a Web survey group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for demographics, response rates, item completion, and item completion errors. Yet differences were found for response time and sensitive item completion. This is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility of collecting health risk behavior data from undergraduates using the Web. Undergraduates are just as likely to respond to a Web survey compared with a mail survey and more likely to answer socially threatening items using this method. Also, the Web format and protocol required less time to administer. Researchers and practitioners conducting health survey research with college students or other homogeneous populations who have access to e-mail and the Web should consider using a Web-based survey design as an alternative to a mail, self-administered survey. In such a population, a Web-based survey should not discourage participation, particularly if participants are interested in the questionnaire content.
ISSN:1090-1981
1552-6127
DOI:10.1177/109019810102800503