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Forced‐response in online surveys: Bias from reactance and an increase in sex‐specific dropout

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  • Stefan Stieger
  • Ulf‐Dietrich Reips
  • Martin Voracek

Abstract

Due to computer technology, a forced‐response can be easily achieved in online questionnaires and is frequently used to gather complete datasets. An Internet‐based quasi‐experiment was conducted on the student server at the University of Vienna to study the influence of forced‐response on dropout, demographic reports, and the content of the results. Forced‐response was shown to substantially increase dropout. In addition, forced‐response interacted with reported sex in eliminating a naturally occurring sex difference in dropout that was observed for the questionnaire whenever responses did not need to be enforced. Also reported sex turned out to have a mediating effect on time of dropout: Men dropped out earlier than did women. Further analyses revealed a reactance effect, as predicted by reactance theory. It is concluded that data from online questionnaires with forced‐response designs are in danger of being hampered by dropout and reactance.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Stieger & Ulf‐Dietrich Reips & Martin Voracek, 2007. "Forced‐response in online surveys: Bias from reactance and an increase in sex‐specific dropout," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 58(11), pages 1653-1660, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jamist:v:58:y:2007:i:11:p:1653-1660
    DOI: 10.1002/asi.20651
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    Cited by:

    1. Islam, Mohammad Tarikul & Chadee, Doren, 2023. "Stuck at the bottom: Role of tacit and explicit knowledge on innovation of developing-country suppliers in global value chains," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2).
    2. Ali B. Mahmoud & Dieu Hack-Polay & Nicholas Grigoriou & Iris Mohr & Leonora Fuxman, 2021. "A generational investigation and sentiment and emotion analyses of female fashion brand users on Instagram in Sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 28(5), pages 526-544, September.
    3. Chatpong Tangmanee & Phattharaphong Niruttinanon, 2015. "Effects of Forced Responses and Question Display Styles on Web Survey Response Rates," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 4(2), pages 54-62, April.
    4. Chatpong Tangmanee & Phattharaphong Niruttinanon, 2019. "Web Survey’s Completion Rates: Effects of Forced Responses, Question Display Styles, and Subjects’ Attitude," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 8(1), pages 20-29, January.
    5. Michał Jakubczyk & Dominik Golicki, 2020. "Elicitation and modelling of imprecise utility of health states," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 88(1), pages 51-71, February.
    6. Islam, Mohammad Tarikul & Polonsky, Michael Jay, 2020. "Validating scales for economic upgrading in global value chains and assessing the impact of upgrading on supplier firms’ performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 144-159.

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