View in EDS HTML Full Text PDF Full Text

Opportunities and Limitations of Online and Web-Based Survey Data Collection for Evidence-Based Policymaking.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Opportunities and Limitations of Online and Web-Based Survey Data Collection for Evidence-Based Policymaking.
Authors: Singh, Kalpana1 (AUTHOR) KSingh1@hamad.qa
Source: Biomedical Engineering & Computational Biology. 7/10/2026, Vol. 17, p1-5. 5p.
Subjects: Internet surveys, Evidence-based policy, Data collection platforms, Experimental design, Health surveys
Abstract: In an increasingly digital and fast-paced policy environment, the rise of online and web-based survey methods offers significant potential for strengthening evidence-based policymaking. This commentary critically explores the methodological opportunities and inherent limitations of these digital data-collection approaches, particularly within policy domains such as health and social governance. While online surveys provide notable advantages in terms of speed, scalability, adaptability, and cost efficiency, they also present substantial methodological and ethical challenges, including coverage errors, selection bias, measurement inconsistencies, and concerns about data integrity. The discussion highlights that the credibility of policy-relevant evidence depends not solely on data volume or immediacy but on methodological robustness, transparent documentation, and careful communication of uncertainty. Integrating digital survey modes with traditional probability-based and administrative data sources is therefore advocated as a balanced and sustainable approach to generating reliable evidence for policy decisions in the digital age. This commentary further argues that a fit-for-purpose approach where survey methods are aligned with the intended policy objective, required precision, and decision context should serve as a central organizing principle for evaluating the appropriateness of digital evidence in contemporary policymaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Biomedical Engineering & Computational Biology is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 1
Header DbId: egs
DbLabel: Engineering Source
An: 195272729
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Opportunities and Limitations of Online and Web-Based Survey Data Collection for Evidence-Based Policymaking.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Singh%2C+Kalpana%22">Singh, Kalpana</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> KSingh1@hamad.qa</i>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Biomedical+Engineering+%26+Computational+Biology%22">Biomedical Engineering & Computational Biology</searchLink>. 7/10/2026, Vol. 17, p1-5. 5p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Internet+surveys%22">Internet surveys</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Evidence-based+policy%22">Evidence-based policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+collection+platforms%22">Data collection platforms</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Experimental+design%22">Experimental design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Health+surveys%22">Health surveys</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: In an increasingly digital and fast-paced policy environment, the rise of online and web-based survey methods offers significant potential for strengthening evidence-based policymaking. This commentary critically explores the methodological opportunities and inherent limitations of these digital data-collection approaches, particularly within policy domains such as health and social governance. While online surveys provide notable advantages in terms of speed, scalability, adaptability, and cost efficiency, they also present substantial methodological and ethical challenges, including coverage errors, selection bias, measurement inconsistencies, and concerns about data integrity. The discussion highlights that the credibility of policy-relevant evidence depends not solely on data volume or immediacy but on methodological robustness, transparent documentation, and careful communication of uncertainty. Integrating digital survey modes with traditional probability-based and administrative data sources is therefore advocated as a balanced and sustainable approach to generating reliable evidence for policy decisions in the digital age. This commentary further argues that a fit-for-purpose approach where survey methods are aligned with the intended policy objective, required precision, and decision context should serve as a central organizing principle for evaluating the appropriateness of digital evidence in contemporary policymaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Biomedical Engineering & Computational Biology is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=195272729
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1177/11795972261467821
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 5
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Internet surveys
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Evidence-based policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Data collection platforms
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Experimental design
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Health surveys
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Opportunities and Limitations of Online and Web-Based Survey Data Collection for Evidence-Based Policymaking.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Singh, Kalpana
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 10
              M: 07
              Text: 7/10/2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 11795972
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 17
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Biomedical Engineering & Computational Biology
              Type: main
ResultId 1