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Comparison of Web‐Based versus Paper‐and‐Pencil Self‐Administered Questionnaire: Effects on Health Indicators in Dutch Adolescents
Author(s) -
Van De LooijJansen Petra M.,
De Wilde Erik Jan
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
health services research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.706
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1475-6773
pISSN - 0017-9124
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2008.00860.x
Subject(s) - pencil (optics) , confidentiality , prosocial behavior , web application , psychology , clinical psychology , medicine , the internet , social psychology , world wide web , computer science , computer security , mechanical engineering , engineering
Objective. The aim of this study is to investigate differences in responses related to (mental) health and behavior between two methods of data collection: web‐based (web) and paper‐and‐pencil (p&p). Study Design. Within each participating school all third‐grade classes (mainly 14–15‐year‐old pupils) were randomly assigned to either the Internet condition ( n =271) or the paper‐and‐pencil condition ( n =261). Principal Findings. Significant but small differences were found for the strengths and difficulties subscales “emotional symptoms” (p&p>web) and “prosocial behavior” (p&p>web), and carrying a weapon (web>p&p). Perceived level of privacy and confidentiality did not differ between the two modes. Conclusions. The findings suggest that in a controlled school setting, web‐based administration of health indicators yields almost the same results as paper‐and‐pencil administration. To generalize these findings, we recommend repeated studies in other populations and settings.