Patterns of response and nonresponse from teachers to traditional and web surveys

This paper discusses the results of a study comparing the psychometric qualities of two forms of an identical survey: one administered in paper-and-pencil format and the other administered in Web format. Two groups of teachers were surveyed. One group received a paper-and-pencil version of the survey; the other group was directed to a Web-based version of the survey. While the rates of response were quite discrepant, the respective measures of reliability were extremely similar for the two versions of the survey. Similarly, there were no significant differences between the two groups on any of the seven subscales, nor on the total score. A follow-up survey was conducted with the nonrespondents in the Web group in order to investigate reasons behind their decision not to complete the survey. Several methodological issues are raised as a result of the follow-up.