Using the Web-first Tailored Design Method in a Rural Population: A Follow-Up Investigation

Abstract

Surveys remain a mainstay of social sciences research. The study’s primary purpose was to replicate a web-first tailored design method (TDM) in a previously surveyed rural population from a state in the mid-south of the U.S. to investigate changes in response mode (web versus paper). Most respondents did not change their response mode between the two data collection periods. They chose to complete their surveys on paper rather than the internet, even though most had access to and used the internet. The use of TDM continues to be an effective data collection strategy for a rural population. Given the emphasis on increasing internet access, speed, and reliability in rural areas of the U.S., along with other web-based services, future data collection efforts will likely involve web-based surveys. Concerns about false identities, bots, and security will continue to need to be addressed, and personal characteristics related to survey completion considered.