Abstract
Recent years have seen a growing number of studies investigating the accuracy of nonprobability online panels; however, response quality in nonprobability online panels has not yet received much attention. To fill this gap, we investigate response quality in a comprehensive study of seven nonprobability online panels and three probability-based online panels with identical fieldwork periods and questionnaires in Germany. Three response quality indicators typically associated with survey satisficing are assessed: straight-lining in grid questions, item nonresponse, and midpoint selection in visual design experiments. Our results show that there is significantly more straight-lining in the nonprobability online panels than in the probability-based online panels. However, contrary to our expectations, there is no generalizable difference between nonprobability online panels and probability-based online panels with respect to item nonresponse. Finally, neither respondents in nonprobability online panels nor respondents in probability-based online panels are significantly affected by the visual design of the midpoint of the answer scale.
Highlights
Recent years have seen a growing number of studies investigating the accuracy of nonprobability online panels; response quality in nonprobability online panels has not yet received much attention
We examine whether there are significant differences in response quality between nonprobability online panels and probability-based online panels based on our hypotheses on the satisficing indicators described above
Regarding our hypothesis that a higher proportion of respondents chooses to not provide any response to a question in nonprobability online panels than in probability-based online panels (Hypothesis 2), we find no generalizable evidence in support of our item nonresponse hypotheses across the three types of item nonresponse (DK, DWS, and question skipping (QS))
Summary
Recent years have seen a growing number of studies investigating the accuracy of nonprobability online panels; response quality in nonprobability online panels has not yet received much attention. To fill this gap, we investigate response quality in a comprehensive study of seven nonprobability online panels and three probability-based online panels with identical fieldwork periods and questionnaires in Germany. Three response quality indicators typically associated with survey satisficing are assessed: straight-lining in grid questions, item nonresponse, and midpoint selection in visual design experiments. Neither respondents in nonprobability online panels nor respondents in probability-based online panels are significantly affected by the visual design of the midpoint of the answer scale
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