Online survey

1. Advantages and
disadvantages of online
survey
Submitted by
Vigneshwari T
RA1952001020094

2. Online survey
Introduction
´ An online survey is a questionnaire that the target audience can complete over the
Internet.
´ Online surveys are usually created as Web forms with a database to store the
answers and statistical software to provide analytics.
´ People are often encouraged to complete online surveys by an incentive such as
being entered to win a prize.
´ Online surveys can vary in length and format. The data is stored in a database and
the survey tool generally provides some level of analysis of the data in addition to
review by a trained expert.
´ online survey is a structured questionnaire that your target audience completes
over the internet generally through a filling out a form.

4. Advantages
Unlike traditional surveys, online surveys offer companies a way to collect information
from a broad audience for very little cost. When conducting an online survey, you
have an opportunity to learn:
´ Who your users are?
´ What your users want to accomplish?
´ What information your users are looking for ?
Before a site redesign you learn about current users and what they are trying to
accomplish
After launching a new or revised site, you can learn if your new design meets the
needs of users and identify areas for improvement
When you want to have content or features rated or ranked, you can conduct
ongoing surveys to gain ideas for future improvements

5. ´ Cost-efficiency : Using online surveys significantly reduces the set-up and
administration costs. There is no money spent on paper, printing or postage.
Money is also saved as telephone and in-person surveys are no longer
necessary.
´ Saves time : Online surveys save a lot of time and effort. Through an online
feedback management system, you can quickly create, administer, collect and
analyze surveys. Performing all of these functions in one integrated web
system saves you a considerable amount of time.
´ Convenience:It is very easy and convenient for respondents to complete
surveys online. Participants can fill out questionnaires when they choose to
and start and stop a survey at their leisure. This gives control over completing
the survey to the individual, which can increase engagement and response
rates.

6. ´ Accessibility:Administering your surveys through an online system increases accessibility.
You can send a link to the survey via email and set-up subsequent reminders through the
online feedback management system. Respondents then have a variety of ways to access
the questionnaire including mobile devices, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, etc.
´ Reach & scalability:One of the greatest advantages of using online surveys is the reach
and scalability. You can send a survey to thousands of people as quickly as you can send a
survey to one participant. Also you can send surveys across the globe and create
questionnaires in a variety of languages.
´ Flexibility: Online surveys provide more flexibility in the design. Organizations can quickly
develop a variety of customized surveys, tailored to the target audience. Even complex
evaluations, such as 360 degree feedback reviews, can be easily administered through an
online feedback system. There is also great flexibility in terms of the questions that can be
asked. A web-based system allows for skip navigation whereby respondents can jump over
questions where they do not have an opinion.

7. ´ Anonymity: Another important advantage of using online surveys is that they
provide respondent anonymity. Once confidentiality is assured, participants
feel more comfortable providing open and honest feedback. This positively
impacts response and completion rates, which are key to survey success.
´ Objectivity:Online surveys add objectivity to the feedback. This is achieved
by eliminating any influence on responses that may be present in telephone
or in-person surveys. In some cases, the interviewer can have an effect on
the responses that a respondent gives. This is eliminated through online
questionnaires making the responses more valid.
´ More accurate:The data collected through online surveys is more accurate.
There have been a number of studies on this subject, which indicate that
there is a much smaller margin-of-error in online surveys. This is attributed to
the fact that the responses go directly to the online database rather than
being manually entered by a person.

9. Disadvantages
The reliability of survey data may depend on the following factors:
´ Respondents may not feel encouraged to provide accurate, honest answersRespondents
may not feel comfortable providing answers that present themselves in a unfavorable
manner.
´ Respondents may not be fully aware of their reasons for any given answer because of lack
of memory on the subject, or even boredom
´ Surveys with closed-ended questions may have a lower validity rate than other question
types.
´ Data errors due to question non-responses may exist. The number of respondents who
choose to respond to a survey question may be different from those who chose not to
respond, thus creating bias.
´ Customized surveys can run the risk of containing certain types of errors