This document discusses the use of paper-based surveys for data collection. It outlines both the advantages and disadvantages of this approach. Some key benefits include flexibility, the ability to complete surveys anywhere, and assurances of confidentiality for respondents. However, paper surveys also have drawbacks such as higher costs, slower response rates, and increased data entry requirements. Overall, the document concludes that paper surveys remain an important research tool when matched to the needs of respondents.

1. Ibrahim L. Mukattash

2.  The use and application of papers based
survey among practitioners and academics
have been used for a long time
 The purpose behind any survey is to collect
measurable data from a specific group of
people.

3.  Response Rate
The success of a survey will be the response
rate (how many people actually respond to
your survey).
 Cost of producing and administering
Survey researches have to function within the
constraints of budgets and consider which
survey mode will meet the needs of the study

4.  Designing & creating a PBS survey that will
improve its response rate and its accuracy, the
researcher has too focus on:
1. Formatting
2. Initial Design Considerations
(Goals, Topic, Concept, Content, Wording, Length
, Response Categories)
3. The Cover and Cover Page (Short & Simple)
4. Directions
5. Ordering of Questions (Logic & Flow)
6. Page Design

5.  Confidentiality assurance:
Respondents can be confident that an
unnamed piece of paper placed into a box is
relatively untraceable, respondents often have
concerns over confidentiality with web-based
surveys (concerns regarding handwriting can
be an issue)
 Mobility/ease of transport:
paper-based surveys can be particularly
useful for those respondents who do not have
easy access to a PC

6.  Increases potential sample size
Especially when questionnaires are
distributed by hand or self administered
 Readability:
A paper survey in black ink offers a better
resolution than you will find on any computer
monitor making it easier for the respondent
to read

7.  Most popular survey approach to data
collection
 Allows great flexibility regarding types of
items and scales
 Participants work directly on the survey
document
 Easy to change at last minute
 Can be completed anywhere, at any time, in
any order
 Lower risk, fewer uncertainties with technical
glitches

8.  Expensive when compared to online surveys:
Paper surveys must be printed (large
booklets) , posted, received and collated, and
have their data entered and coded for
analysis.
 Slow response: Printing, posting, distributing
and responding may require a lot of time
 Incomplete responses: Respondents may not
finish the complete survey, especially long
surveys and Response burden can be high
with long documents

9.  Increased data entry and analysis time
Data processing is costly, complex, time-
consuming and more prone to errors due to
hand entry or scanning process
 Limited space and design
 May require good writing skills
 Appears ‘low tech’

10.  Regardless of the fact that the prices of
paper, printing and posting are in the rise
paper based surveys are still an important
research tool.
 A researcher should know the needs of his
respondents before designing either a paper
based or a web survey.

11.  Corey Greenlaw, C. & Brown-Welty, S. (2009) A Comparison of Web-Based
and Paper-Based Survey Methods Testing Assumptions of Survey Mode and
Response SAGE Publications Cost Vol 33 Number 5 pp. 464-480
 Hanna, R.C. et al (2005) Do internet-based surveys increase personal self-
disclosure? Database Marketing & Customer Strategy Management Vol.
12, 4, pp. 342–356
 Fanning, E., (2005) Formatting a Papers-Based-Survey Questionnaire: Best
Practices Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation Vol. 10 No 12 pp.
 Martins, N., (2010) Measurement model equivalence in web- and paper-
based surveys, Southern African Business Review Vol. 14, Number 3, pp. 77-
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