ERIC Number: EJ1348711
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 33
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1530-5058
EISSN: EISSN-1532-7574
Survey Mode and Data Quality: Careless Responding across Three Modes in Cross-Cultural Contexts
Magraw-Mickelson, Zoe; Wang, Harry H.; Gollwitzer, Mario
International Journal of Testing, v22 n2 p121-153 2022
Much psychological research depends on participants' diligence in filling out materials such as surveys. However, not all participants are motivated to respond attentively, which leads to unintended issues with data quality, known as careless responding. Our question is: how do different modes of data collection--paper/pencil, computer/web-based, and smartphone--affect participants' diligence vs. "careless responding" tendencies and, thus, data quality? Results from prior studies suggest that different data collection modes produce a comparable prevalence of careless responding tendencies. However, as technology develops and data are collected with increasingly diversified populations, this question needs to be readdressed and taken further. The present research examined the effect of survey mode on careless responding in a repeated-measures design with data from three different samples. First, in a sample of working adults from China, we found that participants were slightly more careless when completing computer/web-based survey materials than in paper/pencil mode. Next, in a German student sample, participants were slightly more careless when completing the paper/pencil mode compared to the smartphone mode. Finally, in a sample of Chinese-speaking students, we found no difference between modes. Overall, in a meta-analysis of the findings, we found minimal difference between modes across cultures. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Descriptors: Response Style (Tests), Surveys, Data Collection, Test Format, Cross Cultural Studies, Computer Assisted Testing, Handheld Devices, Foreign Countries, Cultural Differences, Adults, Employees, College Students, Chinese
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China; Germany
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A