Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113457

Kristin Rankin¹, Rosemary Sokas, MD, MOH², Leslie Nickels, MEd³, Janie Gittleman, PhD, MRP⁴, and Christina Trahan, CIH⁴. (1) CADE, SPH, University of Illinois, 1603 W. Taylor (m/c 923), Chgo, IL 60612, 312-996-0179, krankin@uic.edu, (2) EOHS - M/C 922, University of Illinois-Chicago School of Public Health, 2121 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612, (3) School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, SPH, 2121 W Taylor, Chicago, IL 60612, (4) The Center to Protect Workers' Rights, 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Though Internet technology has become vital, web-based surveys have been underutilized as a rapid and efficient method for collecting and sharing research data. A survey to evaluate the Smartmark training program was developed by occupational health researchers and workers' rights representatives, then displayed as a web-based survey with validation checks and skip patterns to provide a seamless and customized participant experience. It was deployed to trainers who had specified an e-mail address as a mode of contact. A specified algorithm was used by each participant to create a unique identifier which made the survey anonymous but also allowed the participant to log in and out at their convenience to complete the survey. Of the 454 trainers who were e-mailed for participation, 366 had valid e-mail addresses and 118 logged in to view the survey. Three reminder e-mails were sent to the group of trainers throughout the study, eliciting 17.6% of the total responses the day the initial e-mail was sent and 38.2% of the responses after the last reminder. The response rate for trainers completing at least one page of the survey was 102/366 (27.9%). The completion rate was 75/366 (20.5%). Data were compiled and SAS/IntrNet was used to disseminate dynamic, online analyses from a secure website to the members of the study team, who were located in two different cities. Overall, this approach provided a cost-effective method for collecting and sharing data that can be used as a model for further research using this medium.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Understand the benefits of using the Internet for data collection and sharing.
• List techniques for improving response rates for web-based surveys
• Discuss the limitatons of web-based surveys for gathering research data.

Keywords: Internet Tools, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation