Plain Language in Web Questionnaires: Effects on Data Quality and Questionnaire Evaluation
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| Title: | Plain Language in Web Questionnaires: Effects on Data Quality and Questionnaire Evaluation |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Irina Bauer (ORCID |
| Source: | International Journal of Social Research Methodology. 2025 28(1):57-69. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Online Surveys, Data Collection, Questionnaires, Response Rates (Questionnaires), Evaluation Methods, Evaluation Problems, Evaluation Research, Language Usage, Academic Language, Reading Comprehension |
| Geographic Terms: | Germany |
| DOI: | 10.1080/13645579.2023.2294880 |
| ISSN: | 1364-5579 1464-5300 |
| Abstract: | In web surveys, no interviewer is present to clarify question comprehension problems, which can be particularly prevalent among respondents with low literacy skills. Although plain language is used in various contexts to improve text comprehensibility, its use in social science questionnaires has not been investigated to date. Using a between-subjects design, we compared the use of plain language and standard language in a web questionnaire in terms of data quality and respondents' evaluation of the questionnaire. Plain language did not generally have a positive effect on data quality and questionnaire evaluation. However, in the plain-language condition, we found less item nonresponse and more response differentiation among respondents who spoke a language other than German at home, which suggests that especially respondents who likely have low literacy skills benefit from plain language. Based on our findings, we outline opportunities for future research and give practical recommendations. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1458540 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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