Perspectives on Web Survey Development: Views from Programmers, Content Specialists, and Survey Methodologists

• Activity Number: 660
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Thursday, August 5, 2010 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Government Statistics
• Author(s): Kathy Downey*+
• Companies: Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Keywords: web survey ; establishment survey ; centralized data collection

Abstract

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has implemented a centralized web-based data system for a few of its surveys: the Internet Data Collection Facility (IDCF). BLS surveys that currently use the IDCF include the Current Employment Survey and the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. This system was designed many years ago by BLS's programming staff, content specialists, and survey methodologists. These staff members have very different perspectives on how the IDCF should be designed and utilized.

Interviews were conducted with staff members from these three specialties. Topics covered were why certain surveys don't utilize the IDCF, staff perspectives on unimode versus multimode development of forms, use of metadata to inform the design process, new initiatives at BLS (such as passwords and "iHelp"), and issues that still face BLS in designing web surveys.