The assigned article acted to prompt the larger discussion. The study compared survey responses received through paper-based versus electronic surveys. No “mode effects” were found. In other words, there was no perceived difference in the types of responses received through the different formats.

Participants at the meeting were skeptical that the same results would be found if this study was replicated today, since web-based surveys are much more common than when the research was conducted in 1999. The sampling bias and inability to assess response rate were discussed as limitations to web-based surveys. It was also noted that researchers often use surveys when another method (e.g., focus groups) would be more appropriate.

Additional readings that iterate best practices are posted on the wiki.